The target for today's ire is the spokesman for the RAC (Royal Automobile Club - no vested interest there) who commented that there was no point investing in new and improved rail services as 9 out 10 journeys were carried out by road. Yes, 9 out of 10 journeys do happen by road because in a lot of cases there is no alternative. That's like saying there's no point offering an alternative to roast beef on the menu because when its the only choice most people happily choose it.
The evidence from a lot of European countries is that where there is a fast and efficient rail service, people will use it. Yes, there are some people you will never get out of their cars, but a lot of people you could if there was a realistic alternative, if we hadn't spent the last fifty years building new roads whilst neglecting and under-investing in the railways. Given a choice you might be able to get that down to 5 or 6 out of 10 journeys happening by road and for the sake of the environment that has got to be a good thing!
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