Fare Rises a Bitter Pill to Swallow

11.25.10am GMT Wed 3rd Jan 2007

Commenting on increased rail fares which come into force today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Alistair Carmichael MP said:

"The Department for Transport is determined to micromanage every aspect of our railways, apart from the one which matters most to passengers.

"At a time when some train operators are removing seating in order to cram on more passengers, these price rises are a bitter pill to swallow.

"The Government should be encouraging people out of their cars and onto public transport. Allowing fares to keep on rising is not the way to do it."

Councillor Mark Chapman added "Rises like this encourage people back into their cars. The year on year cost increases are not sustainable - we need action to make public transport more attractive, not less so."