Liberal Democrats in Bath have called for a freeze on rail fares for the next five years, after it was predicted that prices could again increase by hundreds of pounds.
MP Wera Hobhouse and Cllr Kevin Guy outside Bath Spa station | Photo © B&NES Lib Dems
The Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation rate in July was 9%, the number normally used when increasing rail fares the following March.
The Government has said that rail fare increases next year will be below the RPI figure. Fares increased by 5.9% in March 2023, the highest rise in more than a decade.
The rise this year was based on July 2022’s average earnings growth, which was 5.9%, compared to the RPI which was 12.3% in the same month.
According to analysis by the Liberal Democrats, the price of a season ticket for Bath to London Terminals could increase by more than £800.
Wera Hobhhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, said: “Liberal Democrats are fighting for a fair deal for Bath’s commuters and families who will be left forking out even more for train journeys in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
“Ministers cannot keep turning a blind eye to these problems, especially given people are paying more for less on our rail network with more delays, cancellations and their failure to deal with the strikes.
“If this Government had even a shred of decency, they would freeze rail fares immediately to help families struggling here in Bath, under the cost of living crisis the Conservatives created.
“We should be making clean forms of transport cheaper, yet this Conservative Government is determined to make rail more expensive than ever before.”
Cllr Kevin Guy, Liberal Democrat Leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, commented: “These rail fare increases are another blow to passengers, especially after the threat to close station ticket offices.
“Local Lib Dems are speaking out against the proposal to move staff out of recognised points of sale, warning this will make it more difficult for passengers to find the best value fares – particularly for older and disabled people, visitors from overseas and those with fewer IT skills.
“The consultation is open for a few more days on the Transport Focus website, and I would urge residents to participate.”
