Time to end rail fare hike

This week I spoke to the South Wales Argus about the continued hike in rail fares across the UK, and the effect this has on commuters in Newport. Rail fares for some of the most popular commuting routes to and from Newport are now 25% more expensive than they were five years ago.

These rises are hard to stomach. While companies make a profit year on year the Tory government stand by and allow private train companies to milk the system at taxpayers and commuters expense.

In recent years rail fares have risen 3 times the rate of real wages. Botched privatisation has left us with inflated ticket prices, overcrowded trains and an aging infrastructure. Affordable rail travel has to be a priority. Trains provide access to jobs and services for many people. We need to encourage more people to use public transport with fair fares and not penalising them.