Call for an end to 'rail rip off'

End the rail rip off - replica ticket

Councillor Andy Kelly has called for an assurance from Northern Rail that there will be no fare increase until 2018.

He was speaking after residents complained that some train fares have risen by up to 50p. The 10% rise was the second in just four months.

In September, fares rose by a similar amount meaning, for example, that the off-peak fare has risen by a pound in just four months. An off-peak day return from Victoria to Greater Manchester has risen from £4.90 to £5.40

Over the next month, Councillor Kelly and local Liberal Democrats will be presenting passengers at Rochdale and Littleborough Railway Stations with a replica rail ticket and asking them to sign a petition to Northern Rail (also launched their petition online).They will present the petition to Northern Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester at the end of February.

Councillor Kelly said: "Based on a typical working week, these fare rises equate to well over £120 a year. Hard-pressed commuters have spoken of their anger. Many of them are still annoyed at the 10% rise in September.

"My team and I will be spending time over the next month speaking to commuters and asking them to sign our petition. It's high time we ended the rail rip off. I want Northern Rail to go on the record and assure rail passengers that they will not increase fares till at least next year. I think if we can as many signatures as possible, we can send a clear message to both Northern Rail and Transport Bosses that these rises are unacceptable.

"Whilst everyone accepts that fares have to go up to make improvements, I don't buy the argument that the fare remains 'affordable'. Putting another 50p just months after putting fares up by a similar amount is not on. In August, off-peak fare to Victoria from Rochdale was £4.30, in September it went up to £4.90 and now it is £5.40. I don't think commuters find this acceptable."