Stephen Morgan, Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, has today welcomed the Labour Government’s freeze on rail fares – the first in 30 years.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the freeze ahead of the Budget this week, promising to save commuters hundreds of pounds on some of the busiest routes in the country, after decades of spiralling fares.
For example, a typical commuter travelling to work 3 days a week using flexi-season tickets, will save:
- £315 per year, travelling from Milton Keynes to London
- £173 per year, travelling from Woking to London
- £57 per year, travelling from Bradford to Leeds.
Stephen Morgan, Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, said:
“This historic freeze will give much-needed breathing space for commuters and families in Portsmouth.
“The Government understands the cost pressures working people face. And we also understand that the economy only works when it works for everyone – including making sure it’s affordable for people to travel to work and get where they need to.
“I welcome the action the Chancellor is taking to ensure fair choices as we approach the Budget, with cutting the cost of living across our community being a major priority”.
The announcement comes ahead of next week’s Budget, which the Government has said will focus on the priorities of the British people: cutting waiting lists, cutting the national debt and cutting the cost of living.
Labour’s wider plans for Britain’s railways includes establishing a new publicly-owned company called “Great British Railways”, that will run and manage the tracks and trains used every day – ending years of fragmentation, driving up standards for passengers, and making journey easier and better value for money.
GBR will be accountable to passengers and taxpayers, bringing fares and ticketing into the 21st century, including through a new GBR website and app and building on the expansion of successful Pay As You Go and fares trials across the country.
