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Parking fees 'rip off' rail users Parking fees 'rip off' rail users
(1 day later)
Rail passengers are being "ripped off" when parking at stations, which can cost up to £135 for eight hours, according to a union.Rail passengers are being "ripped off" when parking at stations, which can cost up to £135 for eight hours, according to a union.
Rail users pay more than £1bn a year in charges at station car parks, a situation the Transport Salaried Staffs Association described as a "scandal". The Transport Salaried Staffs Association said rail users paid more than £1bn a year in charges at station car parks, calling it a "scandal".
It surveyed more than 1,000 station car parks in England and Scotland.It surveyed more than 1,000 station car parks in England and Scotland.
Network Rail says it does not control charges at most stations, which are run by train operators.Network Rail says it does not control charges at most stations, which are run by train operators.
A spokesman said: "The dozen or so we do have responsibility for are at the heart of major cities where public transport alternatives are in abundance and their use encouraged."A spokesman said: "The dozen or so we do have responsibility for are at the heart of major cities where public transport alternatives are in abundance and their use encouraged."
However, the union said Network Rail - a not-for-profit organisation - controlled the country's 18 largest stations and charged the most, raking in more than £15m a year.However, the union said Network Rail - a not-for-profit organisation - controlled the country's 18 largest stations and charged the most, raking in more than £15m a year.
MOST EXPENSIVE STATIONS Birmingham New Street: £55 for four hours, then £20/hourManchester Piccadilly: £35 for three hours, then £20/hourGlasgow Central: £35 for 5 hours, then £20/hourLondon Euston: £16 for eight hours, £22 all dayLondon Paddington: £14 for eight hours, £22 all dayMOST EXPENSIVE STATIONS Birmingham New Street: £55 for four hours, then £20/hourManchester Piccadilly: £35 for three hours, then £20/hourGlasgow Central: £35 for 5 hours, then £20/hourLondon Euston: £16 for eight hours, £22 all dayLondon Paddington: £14 for eight hours, £22 all day
More than £1m per year is being made from the car park at Birmingham International, which is being trebled in size, its study said.More than £1m per year is being made from the car park at Birmingham International, which is being trebled in size, its study said.
General secretary Gerry Doherty is revealing the survey results at the union's annual conference.General secretary Gerry Doherty is revealing the survey results at the union's annual conference.
He said: "This is a real scandal. Passengers, like visitors to hospitals, are being ripped off simply because they are a captive audience.He said: "This is a real scandal. Passengers, like visitors to hospitals, are being ripped off simply because they are a captive audience.
"They are already paying the most expensive fares in Europe and now we find they are paying the highest car parking charges as well.""They are already paying the most expensive fares in Europe and now we find they are paying the highest car parking charges as well."
The union leader called on the government to curb car parking charges by including them in the fares formula which prevents rail companies from increasing regulated fares by more than 1% above inflation every year.The union leader called on the government to curb car parking charges by including them in the fares formula which prevents rail companies from increasing regulated fares by more than 1% above inflation every year.
He fears operators could increase parking fees to offset a fall in price of peak-time fares.He fears operators could increase parking fees to offset a fall in price of peak-time fares.