Labour compared costs on over 180 routes between when the
Conservatives came to power and the projected new prices that will be
implemented this 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:
·
From
January, some commuters will be paying over £2,500 more to travel to work than
they were 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 48 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 £736 since 2010.
Andy
McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State Transport, commenting on
today’s rail fare figures, said:
“The
Tories’ failure on our railways means passengers have faced truly staggering
fare rises, some of over £2,500, since 2010 with fares having increased twice
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 for years.
“Decisions
taken by government Ministers are making rail travel unaffordable for the many
in favour of huge profits for the few. By pegging regulated fares rises to the
Retail Price Index, the Conservatives are leaving commuters facing year on year
price hikes.
“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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