Rowen Stands up for Train Passengers
Added 05/02/2010Paul Rowen MP, at a Campaign for Better Transport event on Tuesday, highlighted his concerns about high fares for train passengers. Mr Rowen has called for a review of rail fares that looks at bringing down costs to make it easier for people to take the train instead of driving or flying.
The UK has the highest train fares in Europe. The Government is responsible as it regulates 60% of train fares and allows them to rise above inflation at a rate of over 1% each year. Since 1997 fares have gone up by 7% in real terms.
Not only are high fares punishing rail users but these fares are also harming the environment. High fares are keeping people off the trains and pushing them into cars and planes. From London to Edinburgh, the plane is often cheaper than the train, even though it is eight times worse for the climate. While the Government increases the cost of rail travel, it gives planes a £10 billion tax break every year.
Paul Rowen, who is Chair of the Light Rail All Party Parliamentary Group, joined the Campaign for Better Transport and called for a review of rail fares regulation. This review should rethink fares to ensure that rail is affordable for everyone.
Cat Hobbs, public transport campaigner at Campaign for Better Transport said: ‘We’re pleased that Paul Rowen has joined a growing number of MPs who are standing up for passengers and saying that fares cannot keep rising above inflation. Rail is the green option, it shouldn’t be so expensive.’
Paul Rowen said: “The Government must put a stop to the continuing increases in already high fares. The number of people taking the train has increased by over 40% in the last 10 years, while rail fares have continued to rise above inflation.
It is important that fares are more affordable so that the public is not hit in the wallet when travelling by greener forms of transport. Fares should cost less so more people can travel by rail, and I support a review of rail fares regulation.”