Liberal Democrats call for rail fare freeze as Guildford commuters face paying nearly £400 more next year.

Liberal Democrats call for rail fare freeze as Guildford commuters face paying nearly £400 more next year.

The cost of an annual season ticket for Guildford commuters could rise by up to £389, the highest amount in over a decade, analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

It comes after latest figures show that Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation in July reached 9%. This is the figure normally used to increase rail fares from next March. 

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to freeze rail fares, after ministers have refused to say by how much rail tickets will rise by next year.

Analysis from the Liberal Democrats of rail fare projections show Guildford could be one of the worst impacted areas in the country by a rise in ticket prices. 

Annual season ticket prices between Guildford and London could increase to more than £4,700.

Zöe Franklin, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Guildford said:

“Liberal Democrats are fighting for a fair deal for commuters and families who will be left forking out even more for train journeys in the middle of the cost of living crisis the Conservative Government created.

“Ministers cannot keep ignoring these problems, especially as we are paying more for less on our rail network with more delays, cancellations and their failure to deal with the strikes. And let’s not forget the Government’s plans to close ticket offices at stations around the country.”

Day travelcards for passengers travelling on national rail services to London are also set to be scrapped. With no alternative yet announced by the London Mayor and TFL, which is responsible for London’s transport system, Guildford passengers will pay more for tube and bus services in the capital. 

The Liberal Democrats are calling for rail fares to be frozen for five years. The party is also calling for a rethink over planned ticket office closures and for the Government to finally resolve the strike action disrupting services. 

Zöe Franklin added:

“We should be making clean forms of transport cheaper, yet this Conservative Government is determined to make rail more expensive than ever before.”