Government agrees massive rail fare hike (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

Government agrees massive rail fare hike

July 27, 2007 10:00 AM

David Howarth, MP for Cambridge, has condemned Government plans to reduce spending on the railways by 50%.

The Government has announced plans to expand the rail network while cutting Government funding by £1.5bn a year. Rail upgrades will be paid for by year on year inflation-busting fare rises.

David commented:

"Withdrawing Government support for railways will mean yet more massive price hikes for passengers. There is no mention of the really important environmental benefits of rail travel over road. It is typical of this Government under Gordon Brown to take no account of the environment in any of their policies."

David Howarth MP

Unregulated fares will rise by 3% or more in real terms each year, while season tickets and saver tickets which are regulated centrally will rise by 1% in real terms each year.