TSSA Says Rail Fare Hike – ‘Lamentable & Misguided’

Listen to this article

TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes has described the 2.6 per cent hike in rail fares from Monday (1st March) as “lamentable”, with the trade union boss criticising the Government’s “utterly misguided approach” when it comes to encouraging passengers back onto the railways. 

The inflation-busting increase will, for example, see a Brighton-to-London annual season ticket rise by about £129 to £5,109, and a Manchester-to-Glasgow off-peak return go up by £2.30 to £90.60. 

Commenting, Cortes said: “This really is a lamentable step from Conservative Ministers at Westminster and again demonstrates an utterly misguided approach when it comes to our railways. 

“Increasing fares at a time when demand for rail travel has plummeted due to the pandemic will do nothing to encourage the much-needed return of passengers. Instead, hiking fares in this way seriously risks increasing congestion on our roads, and the pollution and carbon emissions that goes along with such a spike. 

“This was the moment to be bold, but instead we see the Treasury’s grubby fingerprints all over this demand for more cash from the commuter. What should have happened was a strategy focussed on a fair fares regime, with new flexible ticketing arrangements encouraging train travel. 

“I say now to Ministers – this is the time to build together towards the goal of a safe, clean and green post pandemic railway that works for people, not profit. The pandemic must be a moment to forever put the failure of privatisation behind us and see our railway network in public hands.” 

Photo credit: iStockphoto.com – User – VictorHuang

Latest Rail News

ORR review leads to 50% reduction in maximum fees for ticket refunds

New rules will mean that from 2 April the maximum fee that train operators and ticket retailers can charge...

More like this...