05.09.12
Rail fare increases should be capped at RPI+1% – Eagle
An Opposition Day debate on rail fares is being held this afternoon in the House of Commons. Labour is seeking to impose a 1% above inflation cap on future increases in rail fares.
This would prevent price hikes of up to 11% in January 2013, something shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle has called putting “the wrong people first”.
Fares were meant to rise by RPI+3% this January, but this was revised to RPI+1% following lobbying from the former transport secretary Justine Greening.
Prices are now set to rise by RPI+3% for the next two years, with train operators able to increase this by up to 5% on unregulated fares.
Ahead of the debate, Eagle said: “The rising cost of rail travel is adding to the financial pressures that many people are facing thanks to a recession made in Downing Street. The Government has put the wrong people first by caving in to pressure from the private train companies and letting them hike rail fares by up to 11% every year.
“Many Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs have been telling their constituents that they share growing anger at the eye watering prices people are having to pay, often just to get to work. They should now back up their words with action and join Labour MPs in voting for a strict 1% above inflation cap on future annual rail fare rises.”
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