Lib Dems call for rail fare freeze as Westhoughton residents face £122 price hike

Westhoughton rail passengers face a massive hike in prices

The Liberal Democrats have called for rail fares to be frozen for the next 5 years after this week's figures show that Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation in July reached 9%. This is the figure normally used to increase rail fares from next March.

It comes after ministers have refused to say how much rail tickets will rise by next year.

The price of a season ticket in Westhoughton to Manchester could go up by £122 according to Lib Dem analysis. The current cost is £1,360 per year and could rise to as much as £1,482.

The rise comes despite disrupted services over the past year due to industrial action and the Government’s plans to close ticket offices at stations around the country.

The party is also calling for a rethink over planned ticket office closures and for the Government to finally resolve the strike action disrupting services.

Councillor Neil Maher, who represents Westhoughton South, said: “Liberal Democrats are fighting for a fair deal for Westhoughton’s commuters and families who will be left forking out even more for train journeys in the middle of a cost of living crisis.

“Ministers cannot keep turning a blind eye to these problems, especially given people are paying more for less on our rail network with more delays, cancellations and their failure to deal with the strikes.

“If this Government had even a shred of decency they would freeze rail fares immediately to help families struggling here in Westhoughton, under the cost of living crisis the Conservatives created.

“We should be making clean forms of transport cheaper, yet this Conservative Government is determined to make rail more expensive than ever before.”