Rail investment needed: RMT

Two contrasting views have emerged today (24 June) concerning the future of UK rail and air travel.

The train union RMT is – perhaps naturally – banging the rail drum but is also insisting that further investment in high-speed surface transport would negate the need for a third runway at London Heathrow.

In a report titled Who says there is no alternative? the RMT claims that a third of flights from Heathrow are short-haul and that more than 20% serve destinations that already have a viable rail alternative.

“This report shows that high-speed rail can provide a win-win solution for the economy and the environment,” said RMT general secretary Bob Crow. “There are as many flights leaving for Edinburgh as for New York and if we provide a viable, fast and sustainable alternative to short-haul flights the case for Heathrow expansion would evaporate.”

The RMT’s backing for the train comes after Network Rail said yesterday it would look at five major UK lines with a view to potentially building new ones. Britain’s countrywide train system is creaking as record numbers of passengers increasingly turn to rail as the oil price soars.

Air taxes

However, one airline is also cautioning today that if the government decides to impose higher taxes on domestic air travel, rail would be left with a monopoly.
“Imagine what would happen if government moves to increase air taxation forced airlines to discontinue operating domestic services,” said Belgian carrier VLM’s managing director Johan Vanneste.

“There would be no alternative should the rail network be disrupted and, as we know, it frequently does hit problems – and rail operators would not face any competition on pricing.”

VLM operates seven return flights each weekday between London City Airport and Manchester.

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