SOMETIMES I just despair of the logic of our once great country. Politicians and various worthies tell us what is good for us, then promptly pull the rug out from under our feet.

Public transport is a classic case in point. For years we have been lectured about the fact we have to get out of our cars to save the planet.

But do they make it easy for us? No chance. Despite massive increases in fuel prices, it’s still often far cheaper to take your family on long trips in your trusty motor. Even the M25 is preferable at times to running up and down busy escalators and waiting for ages on platforms.

This week’s news that Chiltern Railways is putting up its prices by 5.7 per cent in January is another cause for despair. I actually believe this rail company is one of the best in the land. Its trains are reliable, clean and frequent, and the journey into London is pleasant and easy.

But the prices are simply absurd for anyone with a family in tow. I do understand this all needs to be run as a business and that Chiltern’s increase is below the national average – a good achievement when they are investing so much at present. However, this still fails to mitigate the fact that the high prices do not give sufficient incentive to most people to abandon their cars. I, for one, would prefer the train every time if only it was cheaper.

When, oh when, is someone in power going to accept the fact that they can’t expect us all to use their precious public transport until they make it cost-effective for us to do so?