Reed demands action as Tories hit Croydon commuters with 24 per cent fare increases
Croydon North MP Steve Reed has demanded action from the Government after the announcement that rail fares will rise again in January 2016. The rise means that passengers in Croydon North have been hit by a cost increase of 24 per cent since 2010.
The new fare rises will come into effect on January 2nd 2016. Figures released today by Labour show that the cost of an annual season ticket from Thornton Heath to Victoria has risen by £245 or 24 per cent since 2010.
The rise comes after months of very poor service from Southern Rail, with commuters spending thousands of pounds a year on a train service that is inadequate. Mr Reed has recently taken part in a summit to hold the company to account, and called for passengers to be given a bigger voice over their services.
Rail Minister, Claire Perry, was criticised last year after she said that passengers should ‘start to realise that they are paying fair fares for comfortable commuting.’
Overall passenger satisfaction has declined since 2010 and in some areas commuters have faced ‘stealth fare rises’ of up to 162 per cent.
Steve Reed MP said:
This rail fare rise is another kick in the teeth for commuters who are already paying over the top for a poor service from Southern.
The Conservatives are failing to put passengers first. The latest announcement on fare rises means that the cost of season tickets in Croydon North will have risen by 24 per cent under their watch, putting real pressure on household budgets.
Ministers should reform the railways, deliver better value for money and give passengers a real voice.
Steven Reed is Labour MP for Croydon North and Shadow Minister for Children and Families. In 2018 his private member’s bill on reducing violent mental health restraint became law. In June 2019 he launched Labour’s civil society strategy outlining radical plans to empower citizens and communities.
Steve chairs the Cooperative Councils Innovation Network, co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for London, was Leader of Lambeth Council 2006-12 where he led the council’s children’s services to become best-rated in the country and pioneered the public-health approach to tackling violent youth crime. He worked in publishing for 16 years and was an elected trade union branch secretary.