Fare rises ‘make case to scrap private rail’
THE latest annual increase in rail fares is “staggering” and highlights the need for the network to be brought back into public ownership, according to MSPs.
The Greens joined Labour and consumer groups in criticising the average 3.4 per cent price hike across the UK from January 2 – with ScotRail reporting a 3.2 per cent rise.
John Finnie MSP, the Greens’ transport spokesman, said: “Privatised railways are an enormous failed experiment.
“Rail users in Scotland will undoubtedly be looking to the immediate future where they’ll expect the Scottish Government to prepare a public sector bid in time for the contract break-point in 2020.” Labour’s UK Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald added: “This increase is staggering.
“The Tories should follow Labour’s example and commit to ending the scandal of train companies being run for profit rather than people.”
Bringing franchises back into public ownership is a key policy promise of the party’s UK leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Alex Hayman of consumer group Which? described the hike as “another blow for passengers”.
He added: “For people to get value for money, they must be able to find the best ticket. Cheaper fares must not be hidden and compensation must be paid where it is owed.”