Cornish MPs Battle to Keep Cap on Saver Rail Fares (Devon and Cornwall Liberal Democrats)

Devon and Cornwall Liberal Democrats <info@devon-cornwall-libdems.org.uk>

Cornish MPs Battle to Keep Cap on Saver Rail Fares

March 15, 2007 3:37 PM

Train The five-strong team of Liberal Democrat MPs for Cornwall today (Thursday) warned Ministers not to give in to demands from rail companies for an end to the cap on 'saver' rail fares.

The MPs have written to Ministers following confirmation that the Department of Transport is in talks with privately owned rail companies over potentially large increases to Saver fares.

The possible price hike will supposedly ease overcrowding on trains around the cheaper fare times of 9.30am and 4.30pm but will see an end to the Government's commitment to keep saver fare increases at no more than 1% above inflation each year.

At present, the saver is typically a third cheaper than the normal fare, but for some journeys between London and Cornwall it saves passengers even more. A saver return from London to Bodmin Parkway costs £69.00, whereas the unregulated Standard Open Return costs more than three times that at £218.

Cornwall's Liberal Democrat MPs say any move to scrap the saver cap would be a 'perverse blow to some of the country's poorest people', who could be forced off the railways if the Government lets rail companies' have their way.

Commenting, North Cornwall's MP, Dan Rogerson, said:

"Ministers still have time to put the brakes on what would be an absurd plan to make railways the preserve of the middle classes.

"As one of the UK's poorest and most peripheral areas, Cornwall in particular needs Saver fares. It's utterly unacceptable that hardworking families should have to pay over £200 just to spend a day in the capital."

Truro and St Austell MP, Matthew Taylor, added:

"We have spent many months pressing Ministers to make sure that long overdue new rolling stock in Cornwall will meet the county's needs. What will be the point if no one can afford to get on the new trains because fares have effectively tripled overnight?

"Its down to the Government to protect the public's right to affordable public transport, and given we have the most expensive railways in Europe already, hiking prices is simply ridiculous."