The Strategic Rail Authority, which oversees Britain’s private passenger rail franchises, has asked contractors to submit budgets assuming a 20 percent cut in government contributions. The funding reduction would stop plans for service improvements and could lead to large service reductions and a fare increase. Service cuts could come as early as next spring, just months after London’s congestion pricing scheme, which is expected to encourage transit use, is introduced.

More info is available from Transport 2000, which campaigns for sustainable transportation policies in the UK.