Anger at First Great Western's inflation busting fares increase (Wantage and Didcot Liberal Democrats)

Wantage and Didcot Liberal Democrats <info@wantagelibdems.org.uk>

Anger at First Great Western's inflation busting fares increase

November 22, 2008 9:40 AM

Lib Dem campaigners Alan Armitage and Tony Worgan discuss the fare increases

Liberal Democrats in the Didcot area have demanded that First Great Western abandons its plans to impose a six per cent increase in the price of regulated fares, season tickets and saver tickets. The announcement of the inflation-busting fares hike on 21st November was met with an angry response by Alan Armitage, parliamentary spokesman for the Lib Dems in Wantage constituency.

"Train passengers travelling from Didcot station are being hit for six by First Great Western," said Mr Armitage. "Train tickets from Didcot are already more expensive per mile than from most other places in the South East. At a time when people are struggling with the effects of a recession, FGW is adding to people's difficulties and is stinging passengers for more cash."

Mr Armitage added: "These rises could make the recession worse in Didcot, and could lead to more congestion and pollution as people abandon public transport for their cars. I am calling on the government to step in and use the power they have over regulated fares to impose a freeze on ticket prices for a year. This could be paid for from within the Government's road-widening budget, which is not likely to produce any improvements to the roads around here. Rail passengers have every right to feel angry with this price hike and with the Government for letting it happen."

The Government has agreed that the ticket price increases can come into effect on 2nd January 2009.