Cost of Rail Fares

In a statement to the House of Commons, a minister addressed the pressing issue of rising rail fares, which are significantly impacting the constituents of Woking and commuters across the country. The minister highlighted that since 2019, the cost of a season ticket from Woking to Waterloo has increased by £773, now standing at an astonishing £4,516. The minister argued that these eye-watering fare rises are not only unfair but also counterproductive, as they make public transport an unaffordable luxury for many, risking debt to earn a living. The minister further noted that these rising costs come alongside an increasingly unreliable service, with a 10% increase in the number of rush-hour trains that were either partially or fully cancelled last year, the worst record since 2019. The minister expressed that UK passengers are being asked to pay more for a deteriorating service, which is unacceptable. The minister also raised concerns about the unsafe conditions at West Byfleet station's car park, where inadequate lighting and overgrown vegetation have created an isolated and unsafe environment at night, despite multiple complaints to the railway operator. Additionally, the minister highlighted the frustration of a constituent, Katie, who has voiced concerns about the lack of fast trains from Woking that stop at Clapham Junction during peak hours. The minister called for immediate action from the government, urging an immediate freeze on rail fares, which would save commuters in Woking £140 a year, and advocating for long-term reform to create a simplified, fair, and affordable fare structure that works for everyone. The minister acknowledged the government's plans for nationalisation and the creation of Great British Rail, but emphasized that the priority for constituents is affordable, safe, and reliable trains, which the Conservative government has failed to deliver. The minister expressed the hope that the upcoming 200th anniversary of the railways in the UK presents a real opportunity to freeze rail fares and provide passengers with a fair deal.