Lib Dems call for an end to "rail rip-off"

Rochdale Lib Dem leader Councillor Andy Kelly has called for an assurance from Northern Rail that there will be no fare increase till 2018. He was speaking after residents complained that train fares have risen by up to 50p for some fares. The 10% rise was the second in just four months. In September, fares rose by a similar amount meaning for example that the off-peak fare has risen by a pound in just four months. An off-peak day return from Victoria to Greater Manchester has risen from £4.90 to £5.40

Now, local Liberal Democrats have called for a written undertaking from Northern Rail that they will not consider increasing fares till 2018. Over the next month Councillor Kelly and the local Liberal Democrat will be asking passengers at Rochdale and Littleborough railway stations to sign a petition to Northern Rail. On average, fares have risen by 2.3% - considerably higher than inflation. The Liberal Democrats will be presenting passengers with a replica rail ticket with a petition. They will present this to Northern Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester at the end of February.

Andy says: "Based on a typical working week, these fare rises equate to well over £120 a year. Hard pressed commuters have spoken of their anger. Many of them are still annoyed at the 10% rise in September. My team and I will be spending time over the next month speaking to commuters and asking them to sign our petition. It's high time we ended the rail rip off. I want Northern Rail to go on the record and assure rail passengers that they will not increase fares till at least next year. I think if we can as many signatures as possible, we can send a clear message to both Northern Rail and transport bosses that these rises are unacceptable."

He continued: "While everyone accepts that fares have to go up to meet demand, I don't buy their argument that their fare remains 'affordable'. They have to accept to that putting another 50p just months after putting fares up by a similar amount is not on. In August, off-peak fare to Victoria from Rochdale was £4.30, on September it went up to £4.90 and now it is £5.40. I don't think commuters find this acceptable and would be grateful to know this is the last rise until at least next year."

Greater Manchester's Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate Councillor Jane Brophy said: "This is another squeeze on hard pressed commuters across Greater Manchester. I would like to see Northern Rail justify this inflation busting increase. I think rail passengers would welcome a concrete assurance from transport bosses that in 2017 there will be no further increases. Enough is enough: we need to encourage people to use public transport, not price them out of it."

To sign online - please go to https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/end-the-rail-fares-rip-off