Rugby Labour Party activists visited Rugby Station, to talk with local commuters about this morning’s train fares hike.

 Debbie Bannigan, the Labour Party’s MP Candidate for Rugby and Bulkington commented:

“We’re on the route that has seen the highest rises in cash terms since the Conservatives came to power.  Rugby’s rail users are, once again, facing increases in their fares with no corresponding improvement in services. This is a real kick in the teeth for commuters, many of whom are seeing their pay frozen or even reducing in real terms in recent years.

“They are also concerned that plans for the Rugby Parkway Station have been deferred, because of a failure to secure funding. This will have a knock-on effect for Rugby Station, especially as parking is already insufficient and rush-hour congestion is increasing.  Labour has committed to keeping fares down and pegged to no more than a rise of CPI. Our local Labour Councillors will continue to push for the Parkway Station to be fully funded”.

Labour has compared the costs on over 180 train routes between when the Conservatives came to power and new prices that will be implemented today (2 January 2019).

The average commuter will now be paying £2,980 for their season ticket, £786 more than in 2010.

New figures released today by Labour show:

• That some commuters are paying over £2,850 more to travel to work than in 2010.
• The highest increase was on a Virgin Trains season ticket between Birmingham and London Euston which has risen by £2,874 since 2010 and now costs £10,902.
• The biggest percentage increase identified was between Thame Bridge Parkway near Walsall and Nuneaton, where the cost of an annual season ticket will have risen by 54 per cent since 2010.
• In Theresa May’s own constituency the cost of an annual season ticket from Maidenhead to London Paddington has risen by £831 since 2010.
• Average fares have risen nearly three times faster than wages.

The amount by which train companies can raise regulated fares is the responsibility of the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

He has the power to enforce this but he’s choosing not to.

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, said:

“Today’s rail fare increases are an affront to everyone who has had to endure years of chaos on Britain’s railways.

“Falling standards and rising fairs are a national disgrace. The Government must now step in to freeze fares on the worst performing routes.

“Labour will bring our railways back into public ownership so they are run in the interests of passengers, not private profit.”