Train fares in the UK have jumped again — and with the HS2 project spiralling out of control, British rail travel is looking worse than ever.
Meanwhile, France is preparing to launch a sleek new high-speed train that makes UK services look ancient. The latest TGV Inoui trains will hit the tracks next year on the Paris to Lyon and Marseille routes. And they look incredible.
A First Look Inside France’s New TGV
The new TGVs have been designed to “flow like a river.” French agency AREP and Japanese designers Nendo created a stylish interior with a red, blue, and yellow colour scheme.
Here’s what passengers can expect:
- 🚄 A two-storey bar for drinks on the go.
- 🛒 A self-service grocery shop for snacks and essentials.
- 💺 Retro-style red seats with extra legroom for added comfort.
According to SNCF, the new TGV Inoui marks “a new stage in comfort and innovation, offering a fresh travel experience in France and beyond.” Sounds nice, right?
HS2: A National Embarrassment
Meanwhile, back in the UK, HS2 has become a complete shambles.
A recent report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) called it “a casebook example of how not to run a major project.” Over a decade in, and we still don’t know the final cost, when it’ll be finished, or what benefits it will actually deliver.
Latest cost estimates:
- 💸 £45bn to £54bn (government estimate from November 2023)
- 💸 £54bn to £66bn (HS2 Ltd estimate from June)
The PAC didn’t hold back:
“The Department has failed in its oversight and financial control over one of our most important public sector projects. This has created a major reputational risk to the UK.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson admitted the rising costs are “completely unacceptable.” They said the government is working to “reset” the project — but confidence is low.
Train Fares Just Went Up (Again)
As if things weren’t bad enough, rail fares in England and Wales have jumped by 4.6%.
Most railcards are now £5 more expensive, and London Underground fares have also risen by 4.6% on average. Only bus fares have been spared — for now.
The government says the increase is needed because of the dire financial state of the railway. However, transport campaigners aren’t convinced.
Bruce Williamson from Railfuture said:
“We had hoped that a new government would mean a change of policy. But no – passengers are still being punished for going green.
“If they can freeze fuel duty for motorists, they can afford to freeze rail fares too. When will passengers ever get a break?”
UK vs France: No Contest
So, while British passengers are paying more to ride on unreliable, outdated trains, the French are gearing up to sip wine in a two-storey bar on a state-of-the-art TGV.
Feeling jealous? Yeah, us too.
You may also like: GB News presenter claims govt handing out free cars to ‘Motability mafia’ – the Don responses
