Liberal Democrats in Bedford are calling for a ‘fare freeze’, as rail commuters from the borough are facing price hike of nearly £200 from March.
The cheapest annual season ticket for Bedford commuters to London is forecast to hit £5,293 next week – an increase of £193.
From Luton station, season tickets to London terminals are set to increase by £172.67 a year, from £4,545 to £4,716.67.
By 2026, the annual season ticket price for commuters is expected to rise to £5,842 if the Government does not freeze rail fares.
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Bedford Borough Liberal Democrat spokesperson for rail, Councillor Michael Headley, said: “It is outrageous to hike rail fares in the middle of a cost of living crisis, especially when Bedford services have been downgraded in recent years.
“This Conservative government is completely out of touch. The National Insurance rise is coming, energy bills are skyrocketing and now rail fares are set to rise.
“We are calling for a fair deal for people in Bedford Borough and that includes a fare freeze and for the government to cancel the increase in National Insurance. The cost of living crisis is getting worse by the week and Boris Johnson is too busy trying to save his own job.
“We should be making more sustainable forms of transport like rail more affordable, yet this Conservative government is determined to make rail more expensive than ever before.”
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Meanwhile, Luton passengers currently face a season ticket price of £4,545 commuting into London, which too is expected to rise to £4,716.67 next Tuesday (1 March) – a rise of £172.67.
In December last year the government capped rail fare increases at 3.8%, which was below the retail price inflation of 7.1% at the time. The government decided not to increase fares by the retail price index rate plus 1%, as it did in 2021.
The price rises were delayed until March to allow passengers more time to buy cheaper flexible and seaons tickets at the exisiting rate.
The Bedford Liberal Democrats have started a petition on their concerns, more information on which can be found here.
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