Royal Railways with Uniform Rates

audiobook

Royal Railways with Uniform Rates

by Whately C. Arnold

EN·~2 hours

Chapters

Description

In the early twentieth‑century bustle of Britain’s rail network, a bold pamphlet steps forward with a simple question: if the postal service can charge the same price for a letter no matter how far it travels, why can’t passengers and freight enjoy a comparable flat‑rate system? The author, a keen businessman and legal mind, outlines a clear‑cut plan to merge the nation’s railways with the General Post Office, creating two service categories—fast and slow—and proposing uniform fares that would apply to any distance. By drawing on recent Board of Trade statistics, the proposal promises both financial viability and a more equitable travel experience for citizens and shareholders alike.

Beyond the numbers, the work weaves in thoughtful reflections on public ownership, arguing that a nationalised railway could operate on the same principles that have made the postal service a success. It also engages contemporary critics and supporters, presenting their perspectives and addressing potential objections. Listeners will be drawn into a historic debate that blends practical economics with visionary reform, offering insight into a pivotal moment when the future of Britain’s transportation was fiercely contested.

Details

Full title

Royal Railways with Uniform Rates A proposal for amalgamation of Railways with the General Post Office and adoption of uniform fares and rates for any distance

Language

en

Duration

~2 hours (127K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by MWS, Adrian Mastronardi, The Philatelic Digital Library Project at http://www.tpdlp.net and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

Release date

2016-10-06

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

WC

Whately C. Arnold

Best known for a compact 1914 book on railway reform, this little-known writer made a bold case for bringing Britain’s railways and postal system into closer alignment. The surviving record is thin, but the work itself shows a practical mind interested in public policy, transport, and national efficiency.

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