Swingeing local rail fares were attacked in Parliament by Lewes MP Norman Baker last night. Mr Baker took on the government to attack the rises in fares brought in this month. Regulated ticket prices have been raised by 6% on average - well over the present rate of inflation.
Lib Dem Norman Baker attacked the government for penalizing rail passengers, and reiterated his call for a rail fares freeze. He also pointed out that the vast majority of local residents surveyed in his annual rail survey said that the cost of traveling by rail was their biggest concern.
Norman Baker told the House of Commons:
"It is the government's policy to push up rail fares above inflation every year, and that is neither sensible nor defensible.
"The formula which pushes the cost of traveling by train up above inflation every year is simply not acceptable in terms of value for money or the consequences for the rail passenger, who is caned every year.
"I suggested earlier this year that we should have a freeze on rail fares, which could have been paid for simply by cancelling 3 miles of motorway widening.
"It would be something if my constituents could see enhancements in return for the ticket prices that they have to pay, but we are not seeing that. We are not seeing the Lewes-Uckfield line reopen, nor any efforts made to tackle the dreadful overcrowding between Brighton and Ashford.
"If we are to have rail fare increases above inflation, let us have some improvements to the service to justify them."
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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