Davey Takes Fare Rises to Commons

2.04.01pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 31st Oct 2006

Kingston and Surbiton's Liberal Democrat MP, Edward Davey MP, has tabled a parliamentary motion condemning the disproportionate train fare increases that will hit many local commuters in his constituency from January 2007.

Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, is outraged that his constituents in zone 6 will be bearing the brunt of train increases, in order to fund reductions in fares for the inner zones. The proposed fare increases will affect all of zone 6 and parts of zone 5. Increases range from 33% to a massive 36% - as a peak return from Surbiton to Waterloo is set to rise from the current £6.80 to £9.20.

Edward Davey said, "I am appalled by the proposed fare increases and feel it is extremely unfair that those who live in zone 6 should fund the decreases for the inner zones.

"Many in my constituency commute into central London everyday for work, whilst surviving on modest incomes. It will be those very people who will be affected by the increases.

"I have tabled a Parliamentary Motion requesting a debate on the proposed fare increases and I will continue to raise this matter in Parliament. I have asked to meet the Transport Minister too.

Ends

Notes to editors

Figures of increases from the Department of Transport website

http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=235656&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False

EDM 2869

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=31498&SESSION=875

That this House notes that the proposed rail fare increases planned for January 2007 to zone 6 London Suburban Trains include rises of between 33 per cent. and 36 per cent; further notes that a peak return to Waterloo from stations such as Kingston and Surbiton will increase from the current £6.80 to a massive £9.20; believes this will hit hard commuters on low and modest incomes, especially those working part-time, for whom options such as travelcards do not make financial sense; and calls on the Secretary of State for Transport and the Mayor of London to review these rises immediately.