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Anne Main MP: "The undeniable truth about trains from St Albans to London is that that the Government accepted a bid from First Capital Connect (FCC) that meant fewer passengers and increased fares.
As First Capital Connect paid far too much money for the franchise which meant that they had to raise fares and in a desperate bid to ‘improve’ services alter ticketing arrangements to reduce congestion. St Albans commuters and other passengers are now paying the price for this.
The loss of the no-charge ATM machines has been another blow to both the service and pocket of travellers.
I have said for a long time that the only way to reduce overcrowding is to increase capacity on the line, with the 319’s tied up until 2009 we need new stock and we need it soon.
I have been highlighting our problems in Parliament, holding meetings with rail user groups, Ministers, First Capital connect and concerned travellers and have been working for an early funding decision on the Thameslink 2000 project.
Elaine Holt, Chief Executive for FCC, confirmed that more rolling stock was the only way forward. Holt has refused to consider reversing the new funding and timetabling arrangements so new trains are a priority.
Meetings with Network rail have lead me to believe that although the planning decision regarding the overdue Thameslink 2000 has now been resolved on our line; the trickier issue of funding still needs to be agreed, I am determined to raise this funding issue at every opportunity. My commuters need a better deal, if the Government wants us to get out of our cars, then they must deliver funding for our trains
The problem of congestion in St Albans goes hand-in-hand with the risks overdevelopment of the area may pose in the future. The proposed increases in housing totals, coupled with irresponsible developments such as those which were proposed for the former Radlett aerodrome site, the Evershed site in London Road and the Bricket Road cinema complex, would only contribute to the congestion problem."
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