‘Most popular policy’

Extortionate rail fares that never fail to rise above the rate of inflation now seem as British as dreary weather.

Europe, however, is known for having friendlier climes and superior train services.

In fact, regular UK travellers pay up to six times more of their salary on fares than passengers who enjoy nationalised services on the continent.

To get the UK’s railways back on the right track, Labour have said they will put the brakes on rapidly increasing train fares, saving commuters an average of £349 a year on their season tickets.

The savings would be paid by returning railways to public ownership and regulating fare rises at the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rather than the Retail Price Index (RPI), which consistently over-estimates inflation.

As more services come into public ownership greater amounts of savings will become available and Labour will aim to introduce further fare caps or reductions.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn slammed the Tories’ rail record, which has seen regulated rail fares rise by 27.1 percent since 2010, increasing the average cost of a season ticket by £594.

He said, “Under the Conservatives, rail fares have sky-rocketed and tickets are some of the most expensive in Europe.

“Labour will take Britain’s railways back into public control and put more money into people’s pockets by capping fares. This will save commuters £1,014 on their rail season tickets over the next Parliament, as part of our plan to promote services for the many, not the few.”

The 2017 Tory manifesto has failed to make any commitment to keeping rail fares frozen below RPI, meaning rail fares are likely to rise above inflation if the Conservatives win the general election.

Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald, said, “Under the Conservatives, fares have risen three times faster than wages, passenger satisfaction is plummeting, punctuality has fallen to a 10 year low and promised upgrades have either been delayed by years or scrapped altogether.

 
“Privatised rail has failed and it will take more than tinkering around the edges to deliver much needed improvements for passengers. Labour will take the railways back into public ownership and put passengers first by capping fares.”

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said Labour’s plan has caught the public mood.

He said, “Taking the railways back into public ownership is the most popular policy out there. Just ask commuters in the south east if they’re happy. You can fly anywhere in Europe and most of the west coast of America cheaper than you can get a train from the north to the south (of the UK) – it’s outrageous.”