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TSGN rail passengers to experience 'stealth fare rises', says Labour TSGN rail passengers to experience 'stealth fare rises', says Labour
(about 9 hours later)
Passengers on services in the new mega franchise of Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) face "stealth fare rises", with some season tickets going up 18%, according to Labour. Press Association
The new franchise means that First Capital Connect (FCC) and Southern services are merging. Labour said on Mondaythat where two existing franchises currently compete – for example, Brighton to London where FCC and Southern both operate – eliminating the cheaper fare is a condition of the new franchise. Passengers on services in the new mega-franchise of Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) face "stealth fare rises", with some season tickets going up 18%, according to Labour.
Labour said it had received confirmation that the cheaper FCC fares will be phased out, but "ministers have failed to state when and how that will happen". The new franchise means First Capital Connect (FCC) and Southern services are merging. Labour said on Mondaythat where two existing franchises compete – for example, Brighton to London where FCC and Southern both operate – eliminating the cheaper fare is a condition of the new franchise. Labour said it had received confirmation that the cheaper FCC fares will be phased out, but "ministers have failed to state when and how that will happen". Under the new franchise some commuters from Brighton to London will pay 18%, or £664 a year, more for their season ticket. Day fares on other routes will rise by up to 74%. Last week some off-peak fares were axed on some Northern Rail routes.
Under the new franchise some commuters from Brighton to London will pay 18%, or £664 a year, more for their season ticket. Day fares on other routes will rise by up to 74%. Last week some off-peak fares were axed on some Northern Rail routes. The shadow transport secretary, Mary Creagh, said: "Just one week after George Osborne and Nick Clegg hammered their constituents in the north with huge stealth fare increases, the Tories and Lib Dems are at it again. David Cameron has allowed rail companies to hit commuters with inflation-busting fare hikes of more than 20% since 2010, and his government's plans for secret fare rises in the south-east will leave commuters hundreds of pounds out of pocket."
The shadow transport secretary, Mary Creagh, said: "Just one week after George Osborne and Nick Clegg hammered their constituents in the north with huge stealth fare increases, the Tories and Lib Dems are at it again.
"David Cameron has allowed rail companies to hit commuters with inflation-busting fare hikes of more than 20% since 2010, and his government's plans for secret fare rises in the south-east will leave commuters hundreds of pounds out of pocket."
She added: "Labour's plan for the railways would tackle the cost-of-living crisis and drive the biggest reform of the railways since privatisation.She added: "Labour's plan for the railways would tackle the cost-of-living crisis and drive the biggest reform of the railways since privatisation.
"Labour will cap rail fares, legislate for a public sector operator, devolve the running of regional and local services and deliver a railway which puts passengers first, not profits.""Labour will cap rail fares, legislate for a public sector operator, devolve the running of regional and local services and deliver a railway which puts passengers first, not profits."
According to Labour, these fares are going upAccording to Labour, these fares are going up
Brighton to London season tickets will rise from £3,640 to £4,304 – up £664 (18%); a season ticket from Three Bridges (Crawley) to London will rise from £2,956 to £3,392 – up £436 (15%). An off-peak day return from Brighton to London will rise from £16.40 to £28.50 – up £12.10 (74%); from Three Bridges to London it rises from £11.30 to £17.60 – up £6.30 (56%) and an anytime day return from South Tottenham to Gatwick rises from £20.80 to £31.50 – up £10.70 (51%).Brighton to London season tickets will rise from £3,640 to £4,304 – up £664 (18%); a season ticket from Three Bridges (Crawley) to London will rise from £2,956 to £3,392 – up £436 (15%). An off-peak day return from Brighton to London will rise from £16.40 to £28.50 – up £12.10 (74%); from Three Bridges to London it rises from £11.30 to £17.60 – up £6.30 (56%) and an anytime day return from South Tottenham to Gatwick rises from £20.80 to £31.50 – up £10.70 (51%).