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Press Release
Dr. Richard Wellings comments on the Government's infrastructure investment announcement
18 July 2012
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Claims that rail investment can be funded through higher fare revenues and efficiency gains should be treated with scepticism.
Commenting on today’s government announcement of a new £9 billion rail investment, Dr. Richard Wellings, Head of Transport at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:
“The government’s main priority should be phasing out taxpayer subsidies to the railways rather than investing in additional loss-making projects. Indeed, claims that the schemes can be funded through higher fare revenues and efficiency gains should be treated with scepticism. In reality taxpayers are likely to end up paying a significant share of the costs. This is particularly objectionable given that rail travellers are on average wealthier than the general population.
“In addition, it would seem that many of the projects are motivated by politics rather than economics, representing attempts to gain political favour in particular regions. If economic objectives were the priority, the government would be investing the money in road schemes, which generally produce far greater economic returns.”
Notes to editors:
To arrange an interview with an IEA spokesperson, please contact Stephanie Lis, Director of Communications: 020 7799 8909, slis@iea.org.uk
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
“The government’s main priority should be phasing out taxpayer subsidies to the railways rather than investing in additional loss-making projects. Indeed, claims that the schemes can be funded through higher fare revenues and efficiency gains should be treated with scepticism. In reality taxpayers are likely to end up paying a significant share of the costs. This is particularly objectionable given that rail travellers are on average wealthier than the general population.
“In addition, it would seem that many of the projects are motivated by politics rather than economics, representing attempts to gain political favour in particular regions. If economic objectives were the priority, the government would be investing the money in road schemes, which generally produce far greater economic returns.”
Notes to editors:
To arrange an interview with an IEA spokesperson, please contact Stephanie Lis, Director of Communications: 020 7799 8909, slis@iea.org.uk
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
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