Opposition to Inflation Busting Rail Fare Increases

8.24.00pm GMT Fri 21st Nov 2008

Campaigners in Norwich are calling on National Express to abandon plans to impose a 6% 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 Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South.

"We've heard this week of cutbacks by National Express, including the closure of a call centre in Norwich and the loss of the restaurant car from services in future. Yet the company issued a report only last month showing revenue increases of 9% for UK Rail, including 6% in East Anglia over the last year."

"These latest fare increases add insult to injury."

"Many people have been badly stung by the increase in living costs over the last few months, and this news will add to many people's difficulties. It could even lead to more road congestion in and out of Norwich, and more pollution as people instead turn to their cars."

"Just as they intervened to stop further fuel duty for motorists, the Government now should step in and freeze rail ticket prices for the next year."

"Rail passengers have every right to feel angry with further ticket hikes and with the Government for letting them happen."

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