Fare rises another blow to train users

Buy photos » Redditch Train Station. Picture by Nick Hands 0112001NHR2

LONG-SUFFERING train users commuting from Redditch to Birmingham have been dealt another blow following a hike in fares.

London Midland has increased fares for an anytime single by 4.2 per cent from £4.80 to £5 and 6.2 per cent on an anytime return from £6.50 to £6.90. On average ticket prices on all routes across the London Midland network have risen by 2.8 per cent.

The annual price hike was announced in August and came into force on Wednesday (January 2). Overall ticket prices have gone up by 3.9 per cent across the country, above inflation.

Transport minister Norman Baker said the Government had intervened to ensure fares were caped at about four per cent.

But Rebecca Blake, Labour's Parliamentary spokeswoman for Redditch, said the rises were unfair when users had suffered months of cancellations and delays.

"This hits people who have no choice but to travel at peak times for work or to study. The unreliable service on this route is already putting people off using the train, a 6.2 per cent increase in the fare adds insult to injury."

A spokesman for London Midland said: "We continue to work hard to ensure we deliver value for money across our network."

Regional news »