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From: Jason Torrance (campaigns@bettertransport.org.uk)
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:40:18 +0100
Subject: Expensive trains & buses: act now

Campaign for Better Transport - June bulletin

Public transport for all, not just the rich

Hello,

I'm excited to write to you this month, because I'm giving you the chance to do something about the crippling cost of many train and bus tickets. The Government is committed to tackling climate change, which means giving us attractive, green alternatives to driving. Right now, many of us would like to drive less, but even with the current cost of petrol, travelling by environmentally-friendly public transport is often more expensive than driving.

So we're launching a big campaign telling the Government to make public transport affordable. We don't have long: as the Government considers how to cut transport's contribution to climate change, we have reason to fear that it will try to sidestep the issue of ticket costs. Astonishingly, it's already said that it plans to cut spending on the railways, meaning that passengers will be forced to pay more and more.

As you can see, we have a fight on our hands and not much time. That's why I'm asking you to make a donation, to help us campaign as quickly and effectively as this urgent issue demands. Make a donation today Our campaign is strengthened by real-life stories of the crippling effect of expensive public transport. Stories like Alan's and Rita's. Alan says: "I am on a low income and I need to visit my elderly mother 250 miles away. Unfortunately, because of expensive rail costs I have to use the car." And Rita doesn't even have that option: "I depend on trains as I have no car and I am a pensioner on a fixed income." Please, tell me your story, or if you don't have time, take just 30 seconds to vote in our poll. We'll use your stories and votes to show the Government why affordable public trans port is vital. Together, we've squashed super-lorries!

We may have a fight on our hands, but if we work together I know we can achieve great things. How can I be so sure? Because earlier this month, after receiving hundreds of emails and letters from readers of this e-bulletin, the Transport Secretary agreed not to allow 60-tonne, 25-metre 'super-lorries' on Britain's roads. Fantastic news, and all thanks to people power!

We help readers challenge Government on eco-towns

After I sent my e-bulletin last month, I got emails from more than 50 people who jumped at the chance to make their views on eco-towns heard. I knew there were big problems with many of the proposed locations for eco-towns, and it was invaluable to get this input from local people. Stephen took the comments to the Government's eco-towns challenge panel, where he's an expert advisor. The panel's views will be published very soon (maybe this week) on the Communities and Local Government website. I would have waited until the panel's views were published before writing to you, but that might have clashed with my plans for a photo-shoot to raise awareness of our campaign for affordable public transport. The subject of the shoot is top-secret I'm afraid... all I can tell you is that a magical and glamorous friend of mine is involved. Watch this space!

Finally, talking of cheaper public transport, it doesn't get much cheaper than absolutely free. We're running a competition to win a four-star weekend in the hip, historical city of Amsterdam, travelling by train. The competition closes this month, so enter now before it's too late.

Until next time,

Jason Torrance
Campaigns Director, Campaign for Better Transport
12-18 Hoxton Street, London N1 6NG
http://www.bettertransport.org.uk

Campaign for Better Transport is two separate organisations - Campaign for Better Transport Limited is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (1512347). Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (4943428).


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