Making fares fair (From This Is Wiltshire)

Making fares fair

5:07pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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TRAINS and the price of tickets: issues we’ve all moaned about at one time or another.

But after seeing a Virgin train manager abusing his power and forcing an old lady to buy another ticket on a train from Manchester to London, Tom Wrigglesworth decided to stand up for the lady.... and ended up getting arrested.

The comedian is now travelling the country telling people about the incident and how Virgin have changed the pricing policy on their tickets (something other train companies have yet to follow).

“It’s the show that I took to the Edinburgh Festival over the summer and it earned me a comedy award nomination,” said Tom, who won the prestigious Channel 4, So You Think You’re Funny Competition in 2003.

“The crux of the show is a rant to make rail fares fair.

“Some people are quite short-sighted when it comes to trains and say that they hate them, but I love them. Yes, when it all goes wrong it’s a nightmare. But it is so much less stressful than going by road, and you can do so many more things than you can do in a car. They’re brilliant.”

While he has supported other comedians, such as Russell Howard and Rhod Gilbert, this is his first headline tour.

“I’m very excited but a bit anxious at the same time,” he said.

“I shouldn’t be as I’ve performed it plenty of times but the Edinburgh Festival was a while ago, so it’s quite a while since I did it.

“There’s a good lead-in time before I’m in Swindon though so it should be fine by then.”

Although he’s never been to the town before, Tom is looking forward to performing at the Arts Centre.

“I’ve been past on the train plenty of times but I don’t think I’ve ever got off there. I’m sure it will be an experience.”

And he thinks people should go along to see his show to feel inspired to do something.

“People find it heartwarming and they have laughed and cried in equal measure,” said Tom.

“It is a campaign that is still going on and one that people can get involved with. I know it sounds cliched but it is something that affects us all and we can make a difference.”

For more on Tom log on to www.tomwrigglesworth.co.uk