Train travel is often a vital aspect of student life; as many make the decision to explore new cities, how will this news affect their university experience? With the UK’s increasingly unsteady political landscape and frequent reports of a narrowing job market, this rise in train fares will take yet another severe toll on the lives of students, in both a practical and emotional sense.
A study conducted by the National Union of Students (NUS) on the financial impact of travel on students found that 52% of students expressed concerns over the cost-of-living crisis and its resultant effect on the cost of travel. With the cost of travel resulting in 20% of students missing out on attending class - and a shocking 21% of students missing six or seven classes –their fears are not unfounded. In addition to this, 32% of students have skipped meals due to travel costs, and 35% have missed seeing family as a result of these debilitating costs.
These statistics are not to be underestimated: when considering the already hefty costs of the university experience, this added pressure could lead to increased negative effects on student communities. For many students both current and future, their education has already experienced the adverse effects of COVID 19, repeated strike action and increased fees – this newest obstacle in their path further contributes to a culture that appears to be narrowing our prospects. Without functioning public transport that is both accessible and affordable, young people and students will not be able to access a wider range of opportunities in various parts of the country, preventing an exchange of culture and knowledge.
As student living becomes more and more fraught, our government continues to strip back vital public services, affecting myriad aspects of our lives. These increasing train fares are not the first, and certainly won’t be the last, in a long list of services rendered inaccessible to the student population.