After all, they mostly have the privileges we used to enjoy: border crossing with zero paperwork. enjoy stays as long as they like (none of that “90 days in 180 days” nonsense) the ability to travel on a passport until the day it expires; no mobile roaming charges. (Not helping my mood either, that we gave up all these privileges by choice.) But I’m experiencing a renewed surge of envy this week, sparked by many countries’ innovative policies aimed at getting more people to use public transport and helping to ease the sting of the cost-of-living crisis. As one plan ended, another began. Germany’s scheme – which allowed unlimited travel on regional trains, trams, buses and even river ferries for just €9 a month in June, July and August – was hailed as a huge success, with 52 million tickets sold and an estimated 1.8 million tons of carbon savings. This is precisely the point in the climate crisis where we need to encourage more people to swap cars and planes for public transport, and there is less than zero incentive to do so. Meanwhile, the day after the German experiment ended, Spain launched its own version: free train travel for multi-journey season ticket holders. The program, valid from September 1 to the end of December and exclusively aimed at Spanish passengers, allows free multi-ticket journeys on Cercanías and Rodalies suburban trains and regional journeys of less than 300 kilometers on Media Distancia trains. And get this: when he first introduced the idea of ​​the four-month venture, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “I am fully aware of the daily difficulties that most people face. “I know your salary is getting less and less, that it’s hard to make ends meet and that your shopping cart is getting more and more expensive. “I will work myself to the bone to defend the working class of this country.” Imagine hearing someone in a position of power promise to actually help people struggling to survive amid the current cost of living crisis – and then seeing them enact a tangible policy designed to ease that financial burden. In the UK, as Boris finally steps down (adding insult to injury by suggesting that buying a new kettle could solve our energy woes) and his successors continue with their political posturing, we can only dream of such forward-thinking leadership. What have our transport czars pledged to do to ease some of the coming hardships? Limit the next rail fare rise to “below inflation” – 13.6 per cent RPI in July 2022, the month that usually dictates the annual train fare rise in January – and delay it until March 2023. Then it can probably “only” increase by 13.5 percent, at most. Mmm, isn’t it like a hug around your heart? Meanwhile, the public transport services we have barely feel fit for purpose. Summer travel was marred by numerous strikes on the UK’s train, bus and tube networks, as disgruntled workers protested falling real wages and demanded better working conditions and safety. The pattern looks set to continue in September, with three days of industrial action already announced, two involving 40,000 members of the RMT union plus members of train drivers’ union Aslef on the first date, and another by the smaller white-collar union TSSA railway staff. And then there’s Avanti West Coast, brought to its knees by worker illness and what it called an “unofficial strike” by drivers who refuse to work overtime. The carrier had to cut services in response, leading to overcrowded, overheated trains, with the renewal program in place until at least September 11. We’re looking down the barrel of a winter of travel dissatisfaction. It’s not just that it’s infuriating for train travelers. This is precisely the point in the climate crisis where we need to encourage more people to trade cars and planes for public transport, and there is less than zero incentive to do so. The UK transport secretary, far from following in the footsteps of Germany and Spain, is still embroiled in a months-long blame game, pointing the finger at unions and threatening to curtail their powers. “The government is going to act,” he wrote to the Express in August. “My 16-point plan for union reform will give individual union members more power, if they want, to rein in their spotlight-loving, politically motivated bosses. The plan insists on repeat votes before each strike to show that the action still has the support of members.” Like I said, I envy our neighbors. The looming cost of living crisis and skyrocketing energy prices call for innovative ideas to help people cope – ideas like reducing the cost of public transport, if only for a few months. But I fear that the most we can hope for in Britain is an autumn of ideological deadlock, in which reduced prices are traded for reduced timetables.

title: “As Spain Launches Free Train Travel For Passengers Why Is The Uk Lagging So Far Behind The Rest Of Europe Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-11” author: “Kelly Sharbono”

After all, they mostly have the privileges we used to enjoy: border crossing with zero paperwork. enjoy stays as long as they like (none of that “90 days in 180 days” nonsense) the ability to travel on a passport until the day it expires; no mobile roaming charges. (Not helping my mood either, that we gave up all these privileges by choice.) But I’m experiencing a renewed surge of envy this week, sparked by many countries’ innovative policies aimed at getting more people to use public transport and helping to ease the sting of the cost-of-living crisis. As one plan ended, another began. Germany’s scheme – which allowed unlimited travel on regional trains, trams, buses and even river ferries for just €9 a month in June, July and August – was hailed as a huge success, with 52 million tickets sold and an estimated 1.8 million tons of carbon savings. This is precisely the point in the climate crisis where we need to encourage more people to swap cars and planes for public transport, and there is less than zero incentive to do so. Meanwhile, the day after the German experiment ended, Spain launched its own version: free train travel for multi-journey season ticket holders. The program, valid from September 1 to the end of December and exclusively aimed at Spanish passengers, allows free multi-ticket journeys on Cercanías and Rodalies suburban trains and regional journeys of less than 300 kilometers on Media Distancia trains. And get this: when he first introduced the idea of ​​the four-month venture, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “I am fully aware of the daily difficulties that most people face. “I know your salary is getting less and less, that it’s hard to make ends meet and that your shopping cart is getting more and more expensive. “I will work myself to the bone to defend the working class of this country.” Imagine hearing someone in a position of power promise to actually help people struggling to survive amid the current cost of living crisis – and then seeing them enact a tangible policy designed to ease that financial burden. In the UK, as Boris finally steps down (adding insult to injury by suggesting that buying a new kettle could solve our energy woes) and his successors continue with their political posturing, we can only dream of such forward-thinking leadership. What have our transport czars pledged to do to ease some of the coming hardships? Limit the next rail fare rise to “below inflation” – 13.6 per cent RPI in July 2022, the month that usually dictates the annual train fare rise in January – and delay it until March 2023. Then it can probably “only” increase by 13.5 percent, at most. Mmm, isn’t it like a hug around your heart? Meanwhile, the public transport services we have barely feel fit for purpose. Summer travel was marred by numerous strikes on the UK’s train, bus and tube networks, as disgruntled workers protested falling real wages and demanded better working conditions and safety. The pattern looks set to continue in September, with three days of industrial action already announced, two involving 40,000 members of the RMT union plus members of train drivers’ union Aslef on the first date, and another by the smaller white-collar union TSSA railway staff. And then there’s Avanti West Coast, brought to its knees by worker illness and what it called an “unofficial strike” by drivers who refuse to work overtime. The carrier had to cut services in response, leading to overcrowded, overheated trains, with the renewal program in place until at least September 11. We’re looking down the barrel of a winter of travel dissatisfaction. It’s not just that it’s infuriating for train travelers. This is precisely the point in the climate crisis where we need to encourage more people to trade cars and planes for public transport, and there is less than zero incentive to do so. The UK transport secretary, far from following in the footsteps of Germany and Spain, is still embroiled in a months-long blame game, pointing the finger at unions and threatening to curtail their powers. “The government is going to act,” he wrote to the Express in August. “My 16-point plan for union reform will give individual union members more power, if they want, to rein in their spotlight-loving, politically motivated bosses. The plan insists on repeat votes before each strike to show that the action still has the support of members.” Like I said, I envy our neighbors. The looming cost of living crisis and skyrocketing energy prices call for innovative ideas to help people cope – ideas like reducing the cost of public transport, if only for a few months. But I fear that the most we can hope for in Britain is an autumn of ideological deadlock, in which reduced prices are traded for reduced timetables.

title: “As Spain Launches Free Train Travel For Passengers Why Is The Uk Lagging So Far Behind The Rest Of Europe Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-18” author: “Neil Hess”

After all, they mostly have the privileges we used to enjoy: border crossing with zero paperwork. enjoy stays as long as they like (none of that “90 days in 180 days” nonsense) the ability to travel on a passport until the day it expires; no mobile roaming charges. (Not helping my mood either, that we gave up all these privileges by choice.) But I’m experiencing a renewed surge of envy this week, sparked by many countries’ innovative policies aimed at getting more people to use public transport and helping to ease the sting of the cost-of-living crisis. As one plan ended, another began. Germany’s scheme – which allowed unlimited travel on regional trains, trams, buses and even river ferries for just €9 a month in June, July and August – was hailed as a huge success, with 52 million tickets sold and an estimated 1.8 million tons of carbon savings. This is precisely the point in the climate crisis where we need to encourage more people to swap cars and planes for public transport, and there is less than zero incentive to do so. Meanwhile, the day after the German experiment ended, Spain launched its own version: free train travel for multi-journey season ticket holders. The program, valid from September 1 to the end of December and exclusively aimed at Spanish passengers, allows free multi-ticket journeys on Cercanías and Rodalies suburban trains and regional journeys of less than 300 kilometers on Media Distancia trains. And get this: when he first introduced the idea of ​​the four-month venture, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “I am fully aware of the daily difficulties that most people face. “I know your salary is getting less and less, that it’s hard to make ends meet and that your shopping cart is getting more and more expensive. “I will work myself to the bone to defend the working class of this country.” Imagine hearing someone in a position of power promise to actually help people struggling to survive amid the current cost of living crisis – and then seeing them enact a tangible policy designed to ease that financial burden. In the UK, as Boris finally steps down (adding insult to injury by suggesting that buying a new kettle could solve our energy woes) and his successors continue with their political posturing, we can only dream of such forward-thinking leadership. What have our transport czars pledged to do to ease some of the coming hardships? Limit the next rail fare rise to “below inflation” – 13.6 per cent RPI in July 2022, the month that usually dictates the annual train fare rise in January – and delay it until March 2023. Then it can probably “only” increase by 13.5 percent, at most. Mmm, isn’t it like a hug around your heart? Meanwhile, the public transport services we have barely feel fit for purpose. Summer travel was marred by numerous strikes on the UK’s train, bus and tube networks, as disgruntled workers protested falling real wages and demanded better working conditions and safety. The pattern looks set to continue in September, with three days of industrial action already announced, two involving 40,000 members of the RMT union plus members of train drivers’ union Aslef on the first date, and another by the smaller white-collar union TSSA railway staff. And then there’s Avanti West Coast, brought to its knees by worker illness and what it called an “unofficial strike” by drivers who refuse to work overtime. The carrier had to cut services in response, leading to overcrowded, overheated trains, with the renewal program in place until at least September 11. We’re looking down the barrel of a winter of travel dissatisfaction. It’s not just that it’s infuriating for train travelers. This is precisely the point in the climate crisis where we need to encourage more people to trade cars and planes for public transport, and there is less than zero incentive to do so. The UK transport secretary, far from following in the footsteps of Germany and Spain, is still embroiled in a months-long blame game, pointing the finger at unions and threatening to curtail their powers. “The government is going to act,” he wrote to the Express in August. “My 16-point plan for union reform will give individual union members more power, if they want, to rein in their spotlight-loving, politically motivated bosses. The plan insists on repeat votes before each strike to show that the action still has the support of members.” Like I said, I envy our neighbors. The looming cost of living crisis and skyrocketing energy prices call for innovative ideas to help people cope – ideas like reducing the cost of public transport, if only for a few months. But I fear that the most we can hope for in Britain is an autumn of ideological deadlock, in which reduced prices are traded for reduced timetables.

title: “As Spain Launches Free Train Travel For Passengers Why Is The Uk Lagging So Far Behind The Rest Of Europe Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-09” author: “Natalie Tanimoto”

After all, they mostly have the privileges we used to enjoy: border crossing with zero paperwork. enjoy stays as long as they like (none of that “90 days in 180 days” nonsense) the ability to travel on a passport until the day it expires; no mobile roaming charges. (Not helping my mood either, that we gave up all these privileges by choice.) But I’m experiencing a renewed surge of envy this week, sparked by many countries’ innovative policies aimed at getting more people to use public transport and helping to ease the sting of the cost-of-living crisis. As one plan ended, another began. Germany’s scheme – which allowed unlimited travel on regional trains, trams, buses and even river ferries for just €9 a month in June, July and August – was hailed as a huge success, with 52 million tickets sold and an estimated 1.8 million tons of carbon savings. This is precisely the point in the climate crisis where we need to encourage more people to swap cars and planes for public transport, and there is less than zero incentive to do so. Meanwhile, the day after the German experiment ended, Spain launched its own version: free train travel for multi-journey season ticket holders. The program, valid from September 1 to the end of December and exclusively aimed at Spanish passengers, allows free multi-ticket journeys on Cercanías and Rodalies suburban trains and regional journeys of less than 300 kilometers on Media Distancia trains. And get this: when he first introduced the idea of ​​the four-month venture, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “I am fully aware of the daily difficulties that most people face. “I know your salary is getting less and less, that it’s hard to make ends meet and that your shopping cart is getting more and more expensive. “I will work myself to the bone to defend the working class of this country.” Imagine hearing someone in a position of power promise to actually help people struggling to survive amid the current cost of living crisis – and then seeing them enact a tangible policy designed to ease that financial burden. In the UK, as Boris finally steps down (adding insult to injury by suggesting that buying a new kettle could solve our energy woes) and his successors continue with their political posturing, we can only dream of such forward-thinking leadership. What have our transport czars pledged to do to ease some of the coming hardships? Limit the next rail fare rise to “below inflation” – 13.6 per cent RPI in July 2022, the month that usually dictates the annual train fare rise in January – and delay it until March 2023. Then it can probably “only” increase by 13.5 percent, at most. Mmm, isn’t it like a hug around your heart? Meanwhile, the public transport services we have barely feel fit for purpose. Summer travel was marred by numerous strikes on the UK’s train, bus and tube networks, as disgruntled workers protested falling real wages and demanded better working conditions and safety. The pattern looks set to continue in September, with three days of industrial action already announced, two involving 40,000 members of the RMT union plus members of train drivers’ union Aslef on the first date, and another by the smaller white-collar union TSSA railway staff. And then there’s Avanti West Coast, brought to its knees by worker illness and what it called an “unofficial strike” by drivers who refuse to work overtime. The carrier had to cut services in response, leading to overcrowded, overheated trains, with the renewal program in place until at least September 11. We’re looking down the barrel of a winter of travel dissatisfaction. It’s not just that it’s infuriating for train travelers. This is precisely the point in the climate crisis where we need to encourage more people to trade cars and planes for public transport, and there is less than zero incentive to do so. The UK transport secretary, far from following in the footsteps of Germany and Spain, is still embroiled in a months-long blame game, pointing the finger at unions and threatening to curtail their powers. “The government is going to act,” he wrote to the Express in August. “My 16-point plan for union reform will give individual union members more power, if they want, to rein in their spotlight-loving, politically motivated bosses. The plan insists on repeat votes before each strike to show that the action still has the support of members.” Like I said, I envy our neighbors. The looming cost of living crisis and skyrocketing energy prices call for innovative ideas to help people cope – ideas like reducing the cost of public transport, if only for a few months. But I fear that the most we can hope for in Britain is an autumn of ideological deadlock, in which reduced prices are traded for reduced timetables.