Rail traveller face 'stealth fare rises', according to Labour minister
GETTY Protestors at London Victoria station express their anger at the Southern Rail service
Andy McDonald, who revealed figures compiled by the Labour party, condemned the fair increases as “truly staggering” and highlighted the the biggest increase in ticket price, which was on a Virgin Trains season ticket between Birmingham and London – now costing a whopping £10,200 after a £2,172 increase since 2010. The research went on to reveal the sharpest increases which occurred in the constituencies of Government ministers, including a £628 rise from Maidenhead – Theresa May’s seat – to London.
From today, the average commuter will be forced to pay £2,788 a year for their 2017 season ticket, £594 more than in 2010. But the long-suffering Southern rail commuters will be given no special treatment as they are also included in the huge rise in annual travel costs.
Southern Fail: Commuters mock service in these hilarious tweets Wed, August 31, 2016 15 of the funniest tweets from angry Southern commuters. Play slideshow 1 of 16
Labour blamed ministers for giving train companies the right to vary prices by up to five per cent on individual regulated fares, between 2011 and 2014. Andy McDonald said: “Passengers have faced truly staggering fare rises, more than three times faster than wages. Passengers on some routes have also been hit by ‘stealth fare rises’ of up to 126 per cent.
“The railways need reforms that could be implemented if public ownership was extended to passenger services.” While the average season rail ticket increased by 27 per cent, commuters between Nuneaton and Tame Bridge Parkway, near Walsall, have faced the biggest percentage rise of 43 per cent, while Swindon to London commuters were hit by a 27 per cent increase.
GETTY Chris Grayling behind Theresa May whose constituency members experienced a giant fare increase
Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, insisted wages were growing faster than the regulated fares, thanks to the Government’s economic policies. He said: “This commitment to cap regulated fares in line with inflation will save annual season ticket holders an average £425 in the five years to 2020.
GETTY Andy McDonald, right, strongly condemned the "stealth" increases and slammed May's Government