Train fare hike for York passengers

Under the fare hike, the cost of a season ticket between York and Leeds would rise to £2,386 in 2019, a price increase of £630 in nine years.

Labour MP for York Central Ms Maskell criticised the price hike, which comes after rail chaos in some parts of the country caused by the implementation of new timetables in May.

Speaking about the fare rise for commuters in York, Ms Maskell said: “It’s very expensive. Obviously we have had all the chaos on the railways as well.

“Many people from York have had to go to work without knowing what time they are going to get there and what time they are going to get home. Now they have to pay so much more for their fares and people are feeling the pain.

“The reality is that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling determines the fares policy, this is all of his making. We would just have a completely different approach to a fair fare policy.

“We have said that we would give a fare freeze for people that were affected by the chaos this year - why should they pay more until they get confidence back in the service?

“Our programme to nationalise the railway would have a massive benefit as we would be able to redirect resources towards passengers.”

The Department for Transport uses the July Retail Prices Index measure of inflation to decide the cap on the annual increase in train fares, which comes into force every January.

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the railways, said: “Fares are underpinning a once-in-a-generation investment plan to improve the railway and politicians effectively determine that season ticket prices should change in line with other day-to-day costs to help fund this. While the industry is learning lessons from the recent timetable change, major improvements have been delivered this year from upgraded stations at London Bridge and Liverpool Lime Street to new trains in the South West and Scotland, and more next year.”