“Rail fares far too high” says Euro MP Brian Simpson
Labour Euro MP and Transport Spokesperson in the European Parliament Brian Simpson now believes the Government should act to restrict rail fare rises in the future, to just the rate
of inflation with a second or standard class fully flexible return ticket from Liverpool to London Euston now costing £215.00. Mr Simpson said that many people are being priced off
our railways.“It is fast becoming a luxury to travel from Liverpool to London by train with many fares being hiked
up to unacceptable levels, when it is cheaper to fly from Manchester to the USA, the Caribbean and most of Europe, than it is to travel by train, then surely it becomes apparent that rail fares are
too high” stated Mr Simpson.The North West Euro MP would like to see the Government stepping in to restrict the rise in
unregulated fares to the level of inflation only.“I know the train operators will object and point out the fact that
they are investing in new rolling stock, but I will point out that their profits are high, that people want to travel by train, but that many are being priced out of the market by very high
fares. Frankly, £215 for a journey to London, second class in an overcrowded train is outrageous and I believe train companies are using passengers as cash points and not as
customers” concluded Mr Simpson
