Fares hike for the oldest electric train (From The Argus)
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Fares hike for the oldest electric train
10:00am Friday 4th January 2013 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter
Fares hike for the oldest electric train
Fares for a historic seafront attraction are to be hiked – as part of plans to cover rising costs.
The Volks Railway has been carrying visitors from Brighton’s Palace Pier to Black Rock for 130 years.
But, as part of proposals to raise more money from the world’s oldest operating electric railway, Brighton and Hove City Council, which has run it since 1940, has recommended increasing fares by about 30%.
The local authority believes it will help the “unique” attraction, the brainchild of Victorian engineer Magnus Volk, reach its income target of £225,000 for the next financial year.
It comes just months after the local authority revealed £1.5 million plans to turn it into the world’s first solar powered electric railway by installing “solar trees”.
If approved, the new prices will come into effect from April. Geoffrey Bowden, chairman of the council’s economic development and culture committee, said: “The suggested price increases are not linked to the proposed capital refurbishment project for which we’re seeking a grant.
“The increased revenue would help to fund the ongoing running costs of the railway. We still feel the Volks is good value for money.
“We want to increase usage and possibly extend its operating season to capitalise on extra business the sand sculpture festival at Black Rock will bring.”
Adult single prices are to rise by 30% from £2 to £2.60 with a return up to £2.50 from £3.10 (12.9%). A child single will cost £1.50, up from £1.10 (36.4%), with £2 return, up from £1.60 (25%).
Seniors will pay £1.70 for a single and £2.60 for a return – up 40p and 60p respectively.
A family return will increase from £6.90 to £9 (30.4%).
The council said it also hoped to raise extra revenue by extending opening hours beyond 10am-5.30pm between Easter and September only.
A decision will be made by the cross-party economic development and culture committee on Thursday.
Plans to turn it into the world’s first solar powered electric railway were unveiled in October, with five “solar trees” in Madeira Drive and the introduction of a new all-weather train.
Comments(15)
Sussex jim
says...
10:26am Fri 4 Jan 13
The use of solar panels is an impractical gimmick. They would have to be very large to provide enough power for traction, and the railway would still have to use the public supply when the sun goes in.
Crystal Ball
says...
10:27am Fri 4 Jan 13
Larry the Lamb
says...
10:39am Fri 4 Jan 13
Hove Actually
says...
11:04am Fri 4 Jan 13
Larry the Lamb wrote:Agreed, pity the council never found £14 million to invest in the area instead of giving it to the stick thing
Nice little railway it's a very good attraction for Brighton.
BornInBrighton1968
says...
11:06am Fri 4 Jan 13
Larry the Lamb wrote:The Greens will ruin it soon enough...
Nice little railway it's a very good attraction for Brighton.
bruce_
says...
11:31am Fri 4 Jan 13
Sussex jim is probably right about solar power: it's a gimmick, more than a serious source of energy -- which applies to quite a lot of wind power, too. Ask the Germans!
Fight_Back
says...
11:43am Fri 4 Jan 13
bruce_ wrote:How to make yourself look very foolish in one easy step !
I hate to sound a pedantic note, Alan J Skinner, but it's abhorrent, not "abhorent"; I suppose the moral is, don't rush into print without checking. (Of course, if paople did that, the number of comments would be drastically reduced -- yet would this be so bad?)
Sussex jim is probably right about solar power: it's a gimmick, more than a serious source of energy -- which applies to quite a lot of wind power, too. Ask the Germans!
Goldenwight
says...
1:00pm Fri 4 Jan 13
paul76
says...
1:30pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Goldenwight wrote:I like your thinking, but they have to find money to pay for the installation of solar panels. They aren't getting enough through overpriced on street parking, so are increasing the price on what it is meant to make cheaper.
Since the power bills will be reducing due to the introduction of solar, why is it necessary to increase charges so much?
Maybe the Greens could set up toll booths on all roads into Brighton and just charge everybody who wants to come into the town. That would raise some money. (sorry if they read this and implement it!)
uniteagainstparkingcharges
says...
1:39pm Fri 4 Jan 13
This is going to have a big effect on my family income as we're already feeling the squeeze.
BornInBrighton1968
says...
3:29pm Fri 4 Jan 13
paul76 wrote:The Greens will probably install solar panels on the train, paint it a gender-neutral colour and after conducting a diversity assessment, close the railway down as it isn't serving the needs of 'travellers' and other minorities....
Goldenwight wrote:I like your thinking, but they have to find money to pay for the installation of solar panels. They aren't getting enough through overpriced on street parking, so are increasing the price on what it is meant to make cheaper.
Since the power bills will be reducing due to the introduction of solar, why is it necessary to increase charges so much?
Maybe the Greens could set up toll booths on all roads into Brighton and just charge everybody who wants to come into the town. That would raise some money. (sorry if they read this and implement it!)
Hovite
says...
4:09pm Fri 4 Jan 13
uniteagainstparkingcLike
harges wrote:
I use this train for my daily commute to and from work each and every day. I am outraged by this price hike as my season ticket will go up more than £100 each year.
This is going to have a big effect on my family income as we're already feeling the squeeze.
clubrob6
says...
4:45pm Fri 4 Jan 13
ladybird82
says...
8:59am Sat 5 Jan 13
Alan G Skinner says...
10:19am Fri 4 Jan 13