Liberal Democrats in West Oxfordshire have demanded that First Great Western abandons its plans to impose a 6% in the price of regulated fares, season tickets and saver tickets. The increase in ticket prices not regulated by the government is to be an even steeper 6.6%.
The inflation-busting fares hike were announced on 21st November.
Train passengers in West Oxfordshire are being hit for six by these increases. At a time when people are struggling with the recession, train companies are adding to people’s difficulties.
These rises could make the recession worse and could lead to more congestion and pollution as people abandon public transport for their car instead.
The government must 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. Just as the Government stepped in to freeze fuel duty for motorists because of the recession, they should change their mind and stop these price increases going ahead.
Rail passengers will rightly feel that they are being taken for a ride by First Great Western. They 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.
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