CALL FOR FREEZE IN ANNUAL RAIL FARE HIKES

11.00.00am GMT Tue 25th Nov 2008

Local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates Sandy Walkington and Nigel Quinton have expressed their anger at the inflation-busting rail fare increases announced by First Capital Connect for January 2009.

"At a time when inflation is plummeting and all the concern is how to keep the economy going by putting money into people's pockets, a six percent hike in regulated rail fares is completely unjustified. It means that holders of annual season tickets from St Albans will be hit for six with an extra £148, while Harpenden travellers will pay an extra £165. So the Chancellor of the Exchequer gives tax cuts with one hand and then allows government sanctioned fare increases with the other. It's nonsense on stilts," said Sandy Walkington, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for St Albans.

"It is even worse that First Capital Connect is raising the so-called "unregulated" off-peak fares by an eye-watering 9 percent," said Nigel Quinton, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Hitchin and Harpenden. "Out of 18 train operating companies, this is the second highest increase in these fares. At least one company is not raising these fares at all. It's just going to drive passengers off the trains and back into cars."

Both candidates are backing the Lib Dem call for rail fare prices to be frozen for a year. "Just as the Government stepped in to freeze fuel duty for motorists because of the recession, they should change their mind and stop the price increases in regulated fares going ahead", they said. "They have this power, it can be paid for from within the Government's road-widening budget. It would provide a much more immediate stimulus to the economy and be green at the same time."