Rail fare rises under Tories are ‘truly staggering’ – Andy McDonald MP
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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