The largest unfunded bung in history

[Derek Hardballs]

Trains aren’t and never will be practical for the work I do or for my family.

[Borin' Baggie]

Long distance intercity rail travel isn't subsidised, the largest rail contingent that are subsidised are commuters (a.k.a working people) and the easier it is to get to work and more people using public transport improves productivity through access to infrastructure and a wider employment pool.

Also, the fewer people on the roads the better logistical planning is for commerce, industry and emergency services.

That’s not true though is it? The TOCs may pay a net royalty to the Treasury, but the infrastructure bung for the lines that inter city trains run on is enormous. Neither does it change the fact that regular rail users tend to be from upper income groups.

Yes it is true, the distribution of subsidy overwhelmingly goes to commuters due to their need on specific lines. Intercity services run at such a profit that the subsidy is negligible. If you were to apply economic fares across the rail network intercity fares wouldn't go up, commuter fares would.

And the income group of regular commuters are not that high, especially for those going relatively short distances (e.g. outer London to zones 2 and 1, the cross city line in Birmingham). Middle income maybe but most certainly not upper income groups.