Freeze Train Fares

Winchester’s MP, Danny Chambers has called for rail fares to be frozen next year as they could be set to rise by 4.6% in April following the latest inflation figures being released.

The rise in rail fares next year is usually based on RPI inflation figures from July, plus 1%. It means that passengers could see a 4.6% increase in ticket prices next year. The cost of a season ticket between Winchester and London Waterloo could rise from £6432.00 to 6727.87. A £296 rise. 

It follows ticket price rises of 3.8% in 2022, 5.9% in 2023, and 4.9% in 2024.

Danny Chambers said that people in Winchester should not be paying more for a service that “isn’t up to standard” after years of Conservative party neglect and mismanagement.

It comes as figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats showed that since 2018/19, passengers have suffered close to 1 million minutes of delays due to signal failures.

Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester, Danny Chambers said:

“Many residents of Winchester have been contacting me about the state of our railways. People don’t understand why they’re paying so much for a service that isn’t up to standard.

“Years of neglect and mismanagement by the Conservative Party has resulted in countless delays on our railways, frustrating commuters and other rail users

“It is unacceptable that passengers have been forced to suffer these cancellations and delayed journeys only for ticket prices to rise again next year. 

“There must be a fare freeze to stop passengers from having to pay more for a service they simply cannot rely on.”