A POTENTIAL price increase of well over £100 for rail season tickets from Bromsgrove to Birmingham according to the Liberal Democrats has prompted the political party to call for a fare freeze in the wake of record high inflation figures.
The Lib Dems have called for rail fares to be frozen for the next five years after their recent analysis based on the Retail Prices Index (RPI) – which usually dictates increases in rail fares – showed an annual season ticket from Bromsgrove to Birmingham could increase by up to £128.16.
In July 2023, RPI reached 9 per cent and yet ministers have refused to say how much rail tickets prices will rise, despite price increases usually coming around March.
The possible rise in fares comes despite disrupted services over the past year due to industrial action and government plans to close ticket offices at railway stations around the country.
In March 2023, rail fares increased by up to 5.9 per cent, resulting in the highest price increase in a decade, leaving some passengers paying hundreds of pounds more for their annual season tickets.
The Lib Dems are now calling for the government to resolve strike action disrupting services and are demanding the government freeze rail fares.
Dr David Nicholl, prospective Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bromsgrove, said:”Liberal Democrats are fighting for a fair deal for Bromsgrove’s commuters and families who will be left forking out even more for train journeys in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
“Ministers cannot keep turning a blind eye to these problems, especially given people are paying more for less on our rail network with more delays, cancellations and their failure to deal with the strikes.
“If this Government had even a shred of decency they would freeze rail fares immediately to help families struggling here in Bromsgrove, under the cost of living crisis the Conservatives created.
“We should be making clean forms of transport cheaper, yet this Conservative Government is determined to make rail more expensive than ever before.”
