Local commuters in St Helens North are now paying 25 percent more for their train fares under the Tories, because of yet another year of rail fare hikes.
The announcement that rail fares will rise again in January 2016 means that passengers have been hit by a cost increase of 25 per cent since 2010.
The new fare rises come into effect on 2^nd January. Figures released by Labour show that the cost of an annual season ticket from Earlestown to Manchester has risen by хЃ324 since 2010. The cost of a rail season ticket for commuters from Garswood, Rainford, Earlstown and Newton-le-Willows has risen by up to 25% since 2010.
хЪConor McGinn, Labour MP for St Helens North, who has previously raised the issue in Parliament, has slammed the Tory government for hammering passengers and commuters.
Commenting Conor said:
хЪ“Passengers in St Helens North have been hit again and again by eye‰лwatering rail fare rises. Fares have now rocketed by 25 per cent under the Tories, far outstripping any increase in most people’s pay packets.
хЪ“For many people here, travelling by train isn’t a luxury, it’s how they get to work every day. A season ticket to Manchester now costs over хЃ324 more every year.
хЪ“It is not good enough. More needs to be done to ensure that transport is affordable for the people who use it.
хЪ“Labour’s policy is to bring the railways into public ownership so they can be run for passengers not profit. That means fairer fares, investment in a 21^st century railway and giving passengers a stronger voice.”