Rachel Hopkins MP responds to the Tories’ rail fare hike

Rachel Hopkins MP has condemned Tory Ministers after a brutal 3.8% train fares hike was announced last month. 

Labour has compared the costs on over 180 train routes between when the Conservatives came to power and the projected new prices that will be implemented this March 2022. 

This analysis shows that from March commuters in Luton South will be paying £4717 for a season ticket between Luton and London – an increase of £1493, or 46%, since the Tories came to power in 2010. 

Figures released by Labour show:

• Average fares will rise to 48.9% more than they were in 2010.  
• That some commuters will be paying over £3,900 more to travel to work than in 2010.  
• Average fares have risen twice as fast as wages.

Rachel Hopkins MP for Luton South said: 

“Many people in Luton South are already struggling to make ends meet, and rather than giving them a helping hand, the Tories are exacerbating the cost of living crisis with a rail fare hike. 

Passengers are being forced to foot the bill for over a decade of Tory mismanagement of our railways. 

Only public ownership under a Labour government will deliver true value for money and contribute to tackling the climate emergency.” 

Notes to editors 

• The average commuter will be paying £3,263 for their season ticket in 2022, £1,069 more than in 2010.
• The average 2017 annual season ticket reportedly costs £2,788. Regulated rail fares rose by 27.1% between 2010 and 2017, which means that the average season ticket in 2010 would have cost £2,194. A 49% (from 2010-2022) increase on £2,194 is £3,263
• Season ticket data for 2010 has been taken from the Avantix Traveller (National Fares Manual) database. http://data.atoc.org/fares-data
• Rail fares to rise by 3.8% next year amid cost of living crisis | The Independent