SEASON TICKETS.
[To the Editor of the SPECZATOR.] Sin,—From the editorial comment of September 1st on this question it is apparent that some .slight. misapprehension has arisen. The railway companies were ordered by the Railway Rates Tribunal, on the demand of the representatives of the public before that body last March, to submit a schedule of standard rates for season tickets, and they have done ,so. They pointed out at the time that standardization of rates on a mileage basis, instead of fixing charges as in the past according to local conditions, would disturb existing relations with the public and be of no benefit to anybody.
Economics due to amalgamation, with consequent lower rates and fares, are bound to be effected, but it is much too early yet for the results of standardization of equipment and cp-ordination in working, \ &c., to be apparent. Season tickets, which remained at pre-War level throughout the War period, were never raised above 50 per cent. over that level, while goods rates rose to 100 per, cent. and ordinary passenger fares to 75 per cent. above pre-War, so that if any- thing season ticket holders for two or three years have been treated better than other users of the railways, but all are now on the same level.
The suggestion that the railways propose to victimize the season ticket holder because he must travel to his work daily is picturesque but not quite in accordance with the facts. Hitherto the fixing of season ticket rates has been governed by local conditions such as the development of a district, competition by road, rail or water and other considerations, and this system has resulted in arrangements satisfactory to both tfur public and the railways. :The laner, with full power to-charge whatever they liked, put in force rates which enabled City workers to live under better conditions at some distance from their business. Is it likely, then, that with their powers of charging now strictly limited, the companies would ignore the commercial considerations on which they have built up the traffic and make it impossible for .people to live. in the .suburbs ? The rights of the public are fully considered under the Railways Act, and the season ticket holder has a perfect right to place his case before the Tribunal, but let us be fair and endeavour not to misrepresent the issues !—I am, Sir, &c., RAILWAYMAN.
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