Fares fair - Not with Ken!

4.28.06pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 3rd Jan 2007

Edward Davey MP has slammed London's Mayor, Ken Livingstone, for his "New Year present" to London commuters: massive increases to London train fares. Many London commuters, like those who live in Edward's constituency of Kingston and Surbiton now have to endure extortionate increases to fares of a whopping 33%-36%, thanks to Labour's Government and Mayor.

Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, is appalled that commuters in his constituency will have to pay higher train fares in order to pay for smartcard technology, which won't be introduced, in many stations, until 2009. Many commuters in Edward's constituency will face an increase of 36% on their train fares, with a peak return from Surbiton to Waterloo having risen from £6.80 to £9.20.

In October last year, Edward Davey tabled a parliamentary motion condemning the train increases arguing that it would hit commuters on modest incomes, especially those who work part-time, the hardest. The Secretary of State for Transport, Douglas Alexander, failed to respond to either of Edward's letters requesting a meeting to discuss the fare increases. Nor did Edward receive a response from London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, for a greater explanation of why the fare increases were being introduced at this time.

Edward Davey MP said,

"I am appalled that this Labour Government continues in its efforts to make travel by train a luxury that few are able to afford. Many in my constituency commute into central London every day for work, whilst surviving on modest incomes.

"The Government says much about helping people to return to work and then makes it difficult and expensive for them to do so.

"With environmental disaster looming, the Government should be making public transport a more viable option for as many as possible, yet these sort of increases in train fares will drive many to return to their cars.

"I'll continue to ask both the Mayor of London and the Labour Government why these increases to the outer zones are necessary and will fight for a review to bring them to acceptable levels. If people want to sign my petition against the fare increases, they can go to my web site at edwarddavey.co.uk".

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. Early Day Motion Edward Davey tabled on 26/10/2006

PROPOSED RAIL FARE INCREASES FOR ZONE 6 LONDON SUBURBAN TRAINS

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

2. Ken Livingstone and his transport chair Dave Wetzel's 'Fares Fair' initiative helped them win the 1981 GLC election. They cut all bus and underground fares by a third. The GLC were taking the first steps in their plan for free public transport for Londoners.

3. GNN Press release 19th October 2006 http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?NavigatedFromDepartment=False&NewsAreaID=2&ReleaseID=235656