Philip Hammond must be regretting his flippant remark that trains are a ‘rich man’s toy’. News coverage from the Transport Select Committee can barely focus on anything else when such a juicy quote is reported.
Hammond was trying to make the business case for HS2, yet acknowledged that the railways are too expensive and this new project will not make it any easier for people with less to travel more.
The HS2 project has been criticised for predominately benefiting the rich, with prices to match.
With rail fares set to increase by an average of 8% next year, spending yet more on travel by train is not something most people are happy to consider.
Promises to make rail more accessible for those less well-off jar against this frank admission that the industry exists for the amusement of the wealthy, rather than the necessity of most working people.
