Following this mornings announcement that regulated train prices are to rise by 3.5% in 2015, Mike Weatherley MP, has written to the Chancellor highlighting the plight of commuters in Brighton & Hove and requesting that fares are capped by the Retail Price Index (RPI).
Mike, and his local Conservative colleagues, say they are acutely aware of the financial burden on commuters and feel that fares should not rise above inflation.
In his letter to the Chancellor, Mike wrote: “Many residents from Brighton & Hove currently pay over £5,000 to travel to London and this may potentially rise to £5,250. I, along with many of my Conservative colleagues, do not believe that fares should go up by more than inflation. I should be extremely grateful, therefore, if you would intervene again in this matter in order to ensure that fares do not rise above the Retail Price Index.”
Cllr Graham Cox, the Conservative PPC for Hove and Portslade, added: “Having commuted to London myself, I know just how frustrating it is to see the prices of already expensive tickets go up even further. I hope that the Chancellor will take into consideration our calls for a cap on fare increases, which will effect so many people in Hove and Portslade.”
Mike added: “I regularly hear from residents about the strain of paying huge sums of money simply to get to work. While I am pleased that the Government is taking a sensible approach to improving our rail network, I hope that the Chancellor will, like last year, intervene and restrict any rises to RPI.”
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