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Help us get a bigger and better railway
The railways in Britain are failing to meet customer needs far too often. Whether a passenger or a freight customer, using the train is often an unsatisfactory experience. Cancellations and delays are too frequent, the fares system hasn't evolved to meet the needs of a post-Covid world (where many at work split their time between home and the workplace) and trains can be overcrowded, not just at traditional peak times, but all day every day. The railway has lost (and we don't think will ever get back) many of the five-day-a-week commuters, who bought expensive season tickets, but instead now needs to rely much more on the leisure market (and freight).
The government is micro-managing the railway - and has made it worse by having two Departments involved in the detail, by allocating revenue responsibility to HM Treasury and cost management to the Department for Transport. The typical response to the inevitable funding pressures is on cost reduction - often achieved by reducing train mileage and removing trains from the timetable; but that focus should be on cost, net of revenue.
Added to that, there will be a general election called in the near future. None of the parties has set out their stall in any detail - we'd like to influence their thoughts on how to deliver their priorities and ownership aspirations.
Railfuture campaigns for both a 'bigger' and a 'better' railway and does this at both a national and a regional level. Nationally, we focus on topics such as fares and ticketing, structure, HS2, freight and de-carbonisation; our 14 local branches campaign on local issues such as train performance and services in their area and station and line re-openings - and support our national activity by providing essential input on local impacts and needs - we do not set policy from the centre by diktat. Our branches work with our affiliated Rail User Groups and other stakeholders to influence both the current railway (timetables, performance, station facilities etc) and the future railway (stations and new lines etc).
The more people that Railfuture can say it represents the better, so please consider joining us.
As a member, you'll enjoy the support of a campaigning, voluntary organisation which is passionate about improving the services that our railways deliver. You can meet other members at your local branch meetings or our national conferences, contribute to our newsletters, magazine and website, and choose to play an active role in our campaigns.
Members and subscribers both receive our magazine, Railwatch, four times a year, information from their local/nominated Railfuture branch(es) and invitations to conferences and events (members can vote at the national AGM, and at the AGM for the branch that they have selected).
How to Join Us!
Membership of Railfuture is by an annual membership fee. It is £20 for individuals (£22 for joint), £14 if aged under 26, £25 for Rail User Groups, Local Authorities, and £35 for Businesses.
Alternatively, you can subscribe to Railwatch magazine without becoming a member of Railfuture.
Please select the category of membership you or your organisation require from the first drop-down list below, enter a promotional code (if you have one) and click on the 'buy now' button. Current members of Young Rail Professionals (YRP) may join at the 'Under 26' rate, but please mention this in the PayPal notes. Then choose the number of years in the second box and click on the 'buy now' button.
Apply to Join Railfuture and receive Railwatch Magazine (pay using PayPal)
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Alternatively you can download an application form here (PDF format), which should then be sent to:
Membership Secretary, Railfuture, 1 Queens Road, Barnetby le Wold, North Lincolnshire DN38 6JH
Terms and Conditions - Membership and Subscriptions
Please read the Terms and Conditions before continuing.
Enquiries
Any enquiries about new membership can be sent to the Membership Secretary at [membership at railfuture.org.uk] or write to the postal address above.
Return to Railfuture home page.