Campaign to cut rail fares launched after New Year price hike
A petition has been launched to reduce the cost of rail fares after commuters were hit by New Year price hikes.
The cost of a season ticket between Shrewsbury and Chester went up by more than £100 yesterday, with an annual 12-month pass between the county town and Birmingham New Street rising by £80.
Across the country, season tickets have risen by an average 4.3 per cent, with all tickets up an average 3.9 per cent.
The Campaign for Better Transport has now launched a petition calling on the Government to name a date to end the above-inflation formula used for determining the annual rise and commit to reducing fares relative to inflation.
It comes after the organisation said some rail season ticket holders have seen fares rise by more than 50 per cent in the last 10 years.
CBT chief executive Stephen Joseph said: "The impact of successive Government's policies on rail fares is appalling. The time has come not just to stop the rises but to reduce fares."
Meanwhile, the TUC has warned passengers also face the prospect of ticket office closures and fewer staff on trains and stations as the rail industry looks to make savings of £3.5bn by 2019.