Tim Loughton MP (East Worthing and Shoreham) has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP, to ask that train fares for GTR customers be frozen until a normal service resumes.
This follows the recent announcement that ticket prices are set to increase, as well as months of delays, cancellations, station skipping and industrial action.
Tim wrote:
“Following today's announcement that ticket prices are set to increase for embattled and long-suffering Southern passengers, many of whom live and commute from my constituency, I am writing to urge the Department makes special provision to freeze fares at the very least.
“The situation is appalling for passengers and they today read that they will be being paying more for their journeys.
“Any increase at this time would be adding insult to injury. Consequently, I ask that ticket prices for GTR customers be frozen at least until normal service resumes.”
Letter in Full:
Secretary of State for Transport
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR 16 August 2016
Dear Secretary of State
Following today's announcement that ticket prices are set to increase for embattled and long-suffering Southern passengers, many of whom live and commute from my constituency, I am writing to urge the Department make special provision to freeze fares at the very least.
Passengers have been suffering through delays, cancellations, station skipping, poor customer service and overcrowding on a daily basis for months. Whilst GTR's recent reduced timetable and RMT's official and unofficial strike action have worsened the situation. The situation is appalling for passengers and they today read that they will be being paying more for their journeys.
In the light of recent events, I think GTR must be considered as a special case when looking at ticket price increases. Any increase at this time would be adding insult to injury. Consequently, I ask that ticket prices for GTR customers be frozen, at least until normal service resumes. I have previously called for season ticket holders to be offered substantial discounts when they renew their tickets given the significantly reduced and unreliable service they have had to suffer over many months. The normal compensation scheme goes only a little way in recompensing their inconvenience, if available at all. In the most recent Westminster Hall debate on this issue, I also posed a serious of questions to the then Rail Minster, Claire Perry MP, regarding the funding situation for GTR and the Department for Transport in the recent disruption and I would be grateful if those details could still be provided.
I would also like to know, given the way the franchise is structured, whether the extra revenue resulting from the proposed ticket price increase goes straight into the DfT. If this is indeed the case, then my suggestion is doubly important because passenger misery should not be seen to benefit the Government financially.
Yours sincerely
Tim Loughton MP