Op-Ed: The Rail rip-off — the fightback begins Special

London - The latest rail fares hike has provoked a furious backlash from oppressed commuters. The Campaign for Better Transport has been fighting their corner since 1972.

The Campaign for Better Transport was founded (as Transport 2000) in 1972; Laura Fenn is PA to Stephen Joseph, its current CEO. AB: We can agree that the current fares and mooted increases are a rip off, but has it ever occurred to you that we don't need fares at all, at least not within cities? LF: There are a few cities that are now offering free bus services in their centres, in order to cut congestion, and these have been working very well. Southampton is a good example. However, personally I think that we have a lot more to do, in improving the public transport infrastructure in this country, and changing peoples' attitudes towards public transport and the private motor car, before making all public transport free can truly become a reality. AB: So what are you doing about it? LF: In our attempts to improve public transport in the UK, we have an upcoming campaign called Railways: Fit for the Future with an emphasis on reopening and upgrading lines and stations. You can find out more about it here: http://bettertransport.org.uk/campaigns/railways-fit-for-the-future/form AB: Is this just about trains? LF: No, we are also trying to save bus services throughout the country and fight damaging road building plans. You can find out about them here, save our buses: http://bettertransport.org.uk/campaigns/save-our-buses and roads to nowhere: http://bettertransport.org.uk/campaigns/roads-to-nowhere. AB: Do you have a video or two? LF: Yes, we have our own YouTube channel. Our latest video is about how the 'train toffs' are pricing us regular travellers and commuters off the railways. AB: Okay, you don't have to convince me, but what can others do to help? LF: They can visit our Take Action Page. They can also make a donation.