May ‘must curb rail price rises’

THERESA May faced renewed pressure last night to intervene to cut ‘excessive’ rail fares for millions of season ticket holders.

Jeremy Corbyn said she should scrap the rule that links fare rises to the higher RPI (Retail Price Index) rate of inflation rather than the lower CPI (Consumer Prices Index).

The Labour leader said the Prime Minister should ensure there is the ‘lowest possible increase or no increase at all’. Tory MP Philip Davies said Chancellor Philip Hammond should swap the inflation measure or risk ‘punishing hardworking commuters and passengers’.

The calls came a day after it was announced that regulated rail fares would go up by 3. per cent on January 1, 1 per cent higher than if the CPI had been used.