Rail fare increase backlash could see Tories booted out at next election

Hard-pressed rail commuters are set to get their revenge on the Tory-led Coalition for years of above-inflation fares rises at the next general election.

Research shows that in many key marginal seats the number of commuters is higher than the sitting MP’s majority - and the Tories are set to be the biggest losers.

Many of the ‘rail marginals’ are in the south east where season ticket prices to London for most commuters are now £4,000 to £5,000 a year - the highest fares in Europe - after a rise of 3.1% on average.

But railways are crucial in nearly all marginal seats - not just in London and the south east. Out of the 160 most marginal seats, half contain three or more railway stations.

Inflation-busting fare increases have seen ticket prices rise by around 45% in 10 years and the misery will continue as the government plans annual fare rises for the foreseeable future.

The Campaign for Better Transport has identified 74 marginal seats in England and Wales where there are large numbers of rail commuters.

Transport costs are the largest single monthly outgoing for the average household and research by the charity shows that the price of rail commuting could play an important role in the next election.

The CBT warns: “Anger over the cost of rail fares is significant and has already had a political effect.

“To become the biggest party, both Labour and Conservatives would need to win or retain the majority of rail commuter marginals.”

Of the 74 rail commuter marginals, 49 are held by Conservatives, 14 Labour, 10 Liberal Democrat and one by the Green Party. And Labour is the main challenger in 41 out of the 49 Tory seats.

Rail union leaders warned that it was a timebomb for the Tory-led Coalition. Manuel Cortes, of the TSSA rail union, said: “Commuters now hold the key to No.10 Downing Street.”

And Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT rail union, said: “The members of this government, who have presided over a culture of greed and chaos on our railways, should take note of this research. As the election draws closer, we are coming for them.”

Mary Creagh, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, said: “Over the last three years Prime Minister David Cameron has failed to stand up for working people, allowing train companies to hit passengers with inflation busting fare rises of up to 9%.

“Tory MPs should fear for their seats as commuters fed up with the cost of living crisis prepare to kick them out in 2015. Labour would introduce a strict fares cap and stop train companies from increasing fares beyond it.”

Martin Abrams, Public Transport Campaigner, Campaign for Better Transport said: “Over the last decade, successive governments have deliberately hiked up the price of train travel.

“The result is people paying huge amounts just to get to work. With the general election around the corner, many commuters will be looking for firm commitments from political parties that their journey is going to be made more affordable.”

There have also been big increases outside the South East. From January 2013, commuters travelling between Worcester and Birmingham Moor Street pay £1240 for a season ticket compared with £816 in 2003 - an increase of £424 or 52%.



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The cost of yearly tickets for commuting now take up a very large percentage of income.

I know Colchester - Liverpool Street, takes about 45 minutes, has a yearly season cost of well over £7,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sassy wrote:The cost of yearly tickets for commuting now take up a very large percentage of income.

I know Colchester - Liverpool Street, takes about 45 minutes, has a yearly season cost of well over £7,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course the Tories refuse to reign in their rich fatcat mates   

Sassy wrote:The cost of yearly tickets for commuting now take up a very large percentage of income.

I know Colchester - Liverpool Street, takes about 45 minutes, has a yearly season cost of well over £7,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For goodness sake ....£7,000?

That is a huge amount of cash, and I thought the government were encouraging the use of public transport.

This is raily not good.

I know, horrendous isn't it. Of course, if your wages haven't risen in years and you buy things like food, gas, electric, water and rates (how extravagent is that) and you have a mortgage, where the hell do you get the money from. Not everyone working in London is making a lot of money.