Stephen Robinson condemns rail fares increase

12.15.00pm GMT Tue 2nd Dec 2008

Norman Baker MP and Stephen Robinson discuss the unfair rail fares hike at Chelmsford railway station

The Liberal Democrats have demanded a freeze on rail fares and called for the planned rail fares increases for January to be abandoned. This follows the train operators' announcement of a 6% increase in the cost of regulated fares for January 2008,

Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson is calling on the Government to demand a one year freeze of these fares to help struggling families during the economic crisis. The cost to the train operators will be funded by cutting the budget for major road widening schemes.

Norman Baker MP (Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Transport) was in Chelmsford last week to support Stephen Robinson's campaign to become Lib Dem MP for Chelmsford. Mr Baker commented:

"The cost of rail fares has risen above inflation by 6% since this Government came to power.

"The Government has repeatedly frozen fuel duty for motorists in the light of external circumstances, despite the fact that under Labour the cost of motoring has actually fallen in real terms by 10%.

"It's about time ministers showed the same consideration to train passengers as they have shown to motorists."

Stephen Robinson, Parliamentary Candidate for Chelmsford, commented: "Commuters who rely on trains for their livelihoods are facing huge fare increases at a time when they are also struggling to cope with rising food and heating bills. Freezing their fares would give a huge boost to many hard-pressed families here in Chelmsford."