Southend Labour Party

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Rail fares capped

Today the Chancellor has confirmed that rail fares will continue to be capped at 1% ahead of inflation, reversing a previous decision by the Conservative-led government to allow increases of 3% more than inflation.

Labour councillors in Southend had run a campaign against the fares hike, including an e-petition which collected several thousand signatures. Other groups including rail passengers representatives and Trade Unions around the country had also been actively lobbying against the rise.

Councillor Ian Gilbert, Leader of the Labour Group on Southend Council says,

"Our campaign, and similar ones throughout the country, clearly had an effect on the Chancellor's thinking. As inflation is currently so high, rail users are still going to face a large increase, but it is not as bad as it would have been. We are aiming to keep up the pressure and make sure rail users don't face an exorbitant rise in years to come. Being a commuter town, rising rail fares have a particularly serious effect on our local economy."