Commuters need fairer fares
The Woking Labour Party put on a demonstration at Woking station on successive Wednesdays in September/October in support of the Fair Fares Now campaign, and their call for:
- Affordable prices, including peak times and turn-up-and-go tickets
- Reliable services that aren't overcrowded
- Straightforward tickets that make train travel simple
Train fares are already too high. On average, prices are 20% higher than the rest of Europe and our season tickets are twice as expensive. Now the government is planning to change the rules about how fares are set, paving the way for massive fare hikes from January 2012. Fares are set to rise by a quarter over the next four years – that's £1,300 more for some season tickets.
Elizabeth Evans (above) from the Woking Labour Party says: "We are appalled at these rises, which will affect many who have no other form of transport to fall back on and yet will still have to get about and into work at ordinary jobs, schools and colleges. The Transport Minister needs to be reminded that it is not only the well-off who use the trains."
Fair Fares Now is an initiative of the Campaign for Better Transport, 16 Waterside, 44–48 Wharf Road, London N1 7UX, who can be contacted on 020 7566 6486. Their petition is available online at www.fairfaresnow.org.uk/petition.
