Government orders West Yorkshire commuters to pay highest rail fare increases in the country
20 December 2011
Commuters in West Yorkshire are facing higher rail fare hikes in January than the rest of the country Campaign for Better Transport has learned.
The Chancellor announced as part of his Autumn Statement that rail fares increases would be capped at inflation plus one per cent in January, as opposed to inflation plus three per cent as originally planned. However, Campaign for Better Transport has learned that commuters using Northern Rail trains within the West Yorkshire Metro zones will not benefit from the change of Government policy and will still face average rises of inflation plus three per cent.
Campaign for Better Transport’s public transport campaigner Sophie Allain said: “It’s outrageous that the Government is asking commuters in West Yorkshire to pay the highest average rail fare increases in the country. Public opinion and political pressure have forced the Government to ease off their original policy of inflation plus three per cent, but it seems commuters in West Yorkshire won’t benefit from this change of heart. Not only is this deeply unfair to target specific areas of the country like this, these fare rises are also unnecessary and counterproductive as the Government is already on track to meet its own target to reduce taxpayer spending on rail.”
Notes to Editors
1. Campaign for Better Transport launched the Fair Fares Now campaign in January to call for cheaper, simpler, fairer rail ticketing. Visit the website for more information www.fairfaresnow.org.uk
2. Campaign for Better Transport is the UK’s leading authority on sustainable transport. We champion transport solutions that improve people’s lives and reduce environmental damage. Our campaigns push innovative, practical policies at local and national levels. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).
