Labour
compared costs on over 180 routes between when the Conservatives came to power
and new prices that will be implemented this Tuesday 02 January 2018.
The
average commuter will now be paying £2,888 for their season ticket, £694 more
than in 2010.
New
figures released today by Labour show:
– That
some commuters are paying over £2,500 more to travel to work than in 2010.
– The
highest increase was on a Virgin Trains season ticket between Birmingham and
London Euston which will have risen by £2,539 since 2010 and now costs £10,567.
– The
biggest percentage increase identified was between Thame Bridge Parkway near
Walsall and Nuneaton, where the cost of an annual season ticket will have risen
by 50 per cent since 2010.
– In
Theresa May’s own constituency the cost of an annual season ticket from Maidenhead
to London Paddington has risen by £732 since 2010.
– Average
fares have risen more than three times faster than wages.
Commenting, Andy McDonald, Labour’s
Shadow Transport Secretary, said:
“The
Tories’ failure on our railways means passengers have faced truly staggering
fare rises of over £2,500 since 2010, with fares having increased three times
as much as wages.
“Commuters
have repeatedly been told that higher fares are necessary to fund investment,
but promised investment has been cancelled and essential works have been
delayed by years.
“Decisions
taken by government Ministers are making rail travel unaffordable for the many
in favour of huge profits for the few.
“The truth
is that our fragmented, privatised railway drives up costs and leaves
passengers paying more for less. The railways need serious reform that could be
achieved if the Tories matched Labour’s manifesto policy to extend public
ownership to passenger services, but instead Ministers are persisting with a
failed model of privatisation that is punishing passengers.”
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