What's the answer to overcrowded trains during the commuter rush hours?

According to the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority, it's putting up the fares during that time. No wonder Connex South Central is looking at the scheme. The hard-pressed rail giant would be able to collect more cash with the blessing of its masters when it usually has to fight for every penny.

But this is Mad Hatter management. The answer to overcrowded trains is not suppressing demand by increasing fares. It's putting on more and longer trains to cope with the crush. Would commuters, who form the loyal backbone of rail passengers, have to pay more for their season tickets? Would the increases apply to all or part of the peak periods?

Commuters are already facing problems with unreliable services and the prospect of more strikes following last month's disruption. Complaints against Connex have more than doubled. They really do not deserve to have imposed on them further fares increases which most of them will be hard pressed to avoid.

Connex, whose record has hardly been impressive since it gained the South Central franchise, should kick this silly suggestion into touch right now. And passengers won't have been given much confidence in the new rail authority. Increasing rush hour fares is hardly acting in their interests.

Family-friendly

It's hard for many people to combine working with raising children when they have stressful jobs in hospitals.

That's one reason many nurses and other staff leave when their kids are born or never work on the wards in the first place. Now Brighton Health Care NHS Trust is bringing in more family-friendly policies in a bid to reduce stress and retain skilled workers.

It's a good idea and even those staff without children will benefit if the trust manages to fill vacancies through offering flexible working.

Skylarking

The most famous boat in Brighton will be back in service this summer when the Skylark is relaunched between the piers.

First citizen-to-be Andy Durr hopes to take a trip in it on the day before the mayor-making ceremony in the nearby council chamber. The old cry of "Any more for the Skylark?" will be heard, followed closely by "Any more for the Town Hall?"

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.