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Labour vows to cut rail fares - slashing season ticket prices by £1,000

A pledge by Labour to cut rail fares which could save commuters more than £1,000 on season ticket prices has been unveiled.

Leader Jeremy Corbyn set out his proposals today, claiming passengers would on average save £1,014 on their rail season tickets over the next parliament.

The party has already said it would renationalise rail services taking them away from franchise holders.

Southeastern Railway tweeted about the fallen tree. Stock image
Southeastern Railway tweeted about the fallen tree. Stock image

Kent has some of the highest ticket prices of any part of the rail network, largely because of the High Speed One service.

An annual standard class high speed season ticket from Ashford International costs £6,116.00 - more if the London underground service is included.

Since 2010, regulated rail fares have risen by 27.1 per cent, increasing the average cost of a season ticket by £594.

Labour says it will curb rises by basing its prices on the Consumer Price Index rather than the usually higher Retail Price Index, which includes housing costs.

Mr Corbyn said: “Under the Conservatives, rail fares have sky-rocketed and tickets are some of the most expensive in Europe.

“Labour will take Britain’s railways back into public control and put more money into people’s pockets by capping fares.

Passengers are being warned of disruption this Easter. Library image.
Passengers are being warned of disruption this Easter. Library image.

"This will save commuters £1,014 on their rail season tickets over the next Parliament, as part of our plan to promote services for the many, not the few.”

But the Tories said nationalisation would add billions to the UK's debt or lead to an increase in taxes.

"It's yet more economic shambles from Labour," a spokesman said.

And Labour’s sums assume a Tory Government would go back to the previous system of allowing increases of 1% more than RPI - something that has not been included in its manifesto.

Kent County Council’s Conservative administration recently called on the government to lower the 30% premium that the next franchise operator will be able to apply to HS1 fares.

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