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04
Mar
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP calls rail fare hike a ‘slap in the face’
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has called for rail fares to be frozen after the latest 4.6% increase.
The increase, which came into effect on Sunday (March 2), means the cost of a season ticket between Harrogate and Leeds has risen to £2,116.
Travelling between Harrogate and York could set passengers back £2,184, and season tickets between Knaresborough to Leeds could cost £2,376.
Labour announced the 4.6% increase its autumn Budget.
The Treasury said it was "the lowest absolute increase in three years" and would help the rail sector become financially sustainable.
But Liberal Democrat Tom Gordon said today:
Passengers in Harrogate and Knaresborough are being hammered by rising ticket prices, whilst our railways simply aren’t working. Years of Conservative neglect and mismanagement have forced rail users to suffer endless delays as they just try to go about their everyday lives. It’s stifling our economy.
This latest increase is a slap in the face for all those passengers who have been forced to suffer these cancellations and delayed journeys for years. Now they will have to pay higher prices for the same old service that doesn’t work properly.
We must now see a fare freeze to stop passengers from having to pay more for a service that they aren’t even seeing.
This week's fare increase follows hikes of 3.8% in 2022, 5.9% in 2023 and 4.9% in 2024.
Last year's Budget also revealed plans to increase rail cards by £5, apart from the disabled person’s rail card.
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