MP hits out over train fare increases (From York Press)

MP Hugh Bayley hits out over train fare increases

7:44am Monday 14th January 2013 in News

A YORK MP has accused the Government of “putting the wrong people first” over rail fares after rises in the cost of train travel were backed in a Westminster vote.

Fares could rise by as much as 9.2 per cent in parts of the UK, with York Central MP Hugh Bayley saying the city’s residents had seen the cost of an annual season ticket to Leeds reach £2,056, while a similar ticket to Harrogate was now £1,536 and the annual York-Newcastle fare was £5,480.

Mr Bayley said a proposed “super peak” ticket would lead to commuters being forced to pay more to use the most popular rail services and criticised the Government for voting down a Labour motion aimed at limiting future fare rises.

“Ministers have caved in to pressure from the private train companies by allowing them to make massive increases to rail fares at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet,” he said.

“If the Government gets away with introducing these new ‘super peak’ tickets, many working people in York will struggle if they have to commute. It should rule out these tickets, limit rail fare rises and stop putting rail companies’ profits ahead of the needs of hard-working commuters.”