The cost of an annual season target from Harrogate to Leeds has risen to almost £2,000 following the latest rail price increase.
Yesterday’s 5.9% hike was part of the largest annual fares rise in Britain since 2012.
It means Harrogate commuters must now pay £1,928 for an annual season ticket to Leeds — an increase of £107.
The news prompted Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, to call for a fare freeze.
Mr Gordon said the annual season ticket price for Harrogate commuters was forecast to be £2,206 by 2027 despite reduced services compared to pre-pandemic timetables. He added:
“It is outrageous to hike rail fares in the middle of a cost of living crisis. This Conservative government is completely out of touch.
“Ministers cannot keep turning a blind eye to these problems, especially given people are paying more for less on our rail network with fewer trains running or even on time.”
Tom Gordon at Knaresborough station
He added:
“I am calling for a fair deal for people in Harrogate and Knaresborough with an immediate fare freeze to help families struggling under the cost of living crisis this government created.”
“We should be making green forms of transport cheaper, yet this Conservative government is determined to make rail more expensive than ever before.”
The Stray Ferret asked Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, if he wished to respond to Mr Gordon’s comments but he did not reply.]
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