Jan 6, 2009
Rail Passengers being taken for a ride yet again
Reading Lib Dems have condemned today’s inflation busting increases in rail fares and criticised the government’s lack of control of rail fares.
Spokesperson Cllr Ricky Duveen (himself a commuter to London) said, ‘I am disgusted that train operators like First Great Western can be allowed to push up fares at double the rate of inflation. The Labour Government has shown itself, once again, to be toothless in regulating private sector companies.’
‘A 6% increase on an annual season ticket to London means an extra £240 that commuters need to find in an increasingly bleak economic outlook.’
‘I rang this morning to enquire about the cost of a new season ticket to London (including the Underground) and was quoted £4,152. This is outrageous. How does this government hope to get more commuters to leave their cars and use public transport instead with these prices which are far and away the most expensive commuter fares in Europe.’
‘A lot of Reading commuters will be very angry when they next go to renew their season tickets.’
