Labour has argued it would save commuters £200 a year on their season tickets if it wins the General Election.
The party has pledged to use money saved by bringing rail franchises back into public ownership to cap regulated fair rises at the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: ‘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.’
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn
Labour said the Conservatives allowed fares to rise by RPI plus 1% between 2011 and 2013 and that if fares increase by the same rate, the average cost of a season ticket will rise by an extra £160 by the end of the next parliament, compared to being frozen at RPI.
The 2017 Conservative manifesto does not make a specific commitment on keeping rail fares frozen in real terms – although it does pledge to ‘review rail ticketing, removing complexity and perverse pricing’.
Labour added that while the 2015 Conservative manifesto included a commitment to keep rail fares frozen in real terms, regulated fares were capped at the RPI rate , which consistently over-estimates inflation.
The Campaign for Better Transport said that with large numbers of seats having sizeable numbers of rail commuters, and the average season ticket to London now over £4000, the complexity and cost of season tickets is a huge issue for many voters.
Chief executive Stephen Joseph said: ‘This time, none of the party manifestos include any commitments on levels of rail fares. Labour is belatedly rectifying this, but all parties are under pressure to explain how they will make rail travel cheaper and simpler for the army of commuters and part-time workers.’
Transport Network has approached the Conservatives for a response.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
