Rail chiefs call for higher road tax

RAIL bosses are urging ministers to raise taxes on road and aviation fuel to cut carbon emissions and encourage more people to travel by train.

Under proposals drawn up by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) industry body, fuel duty would be increased for the first time in a decade and taxes added to the purchase of jet fuel – leading to higher air fares for holidaymakers.

But motoring group the AA said drivers are already fleeced on fuel duty, road tax and resident parking permits while being ‘hunted at every turn for parking, bus lane and other fines’.

And the Airlines UK trade body warned higher fares would penalise isolated communities which rely on regional airports because of poor rail links.

They urged train companies to instead focus on ending rip-off rail fares. However,

rail bosses say increased taxes on air routes would allow them to reduce long-distance fares.

The RDG proposals have been submitted to the Department for Transport’s decarbonisation plan.

Rail chiefs cited Government figures published last year showing CO emissions per passenger per kilometre travelled are only 41 grams for domestic rail but 54g for domestic flights. But Howard Cox, founder of the FairFuelUK pressure group, said: ‘The gobsmacking smugness of the nation’s train operators beggars belief. To make the world’s already highest taxed motorists subsidise their financial failures and management incompetence is shameful.’