Responding to rail plans, Campaign for
Better Transport said that its analysis showed there were a
number of marginal seats with a substantial number of commuters
who could make a real difference to the election result.
All parties need to offer all these commuters a better deal on
rail fares.
Stephen Joseph, Chief Executive, Campaign for Better Transport,
said:
“Our previous analysis before the last election showed very large
numbers of seats with sizeable numbers of rail commuters, and
this still holds good. For voters in these constituencies, rail
travel is a big part of their spending, so what the Government
does on rail fares matters. With the average season ticket to
London now over £4000, the complexity and
cost of season tickets is a huge issue for
many voters.
“The 2015 Conservative manifesto included a commitment to stop
above inflation fares rises and to introduce flexible tickets for
part time workers. This time, none of the party manifestos
include any commitments on levels of rail fares. Labour is
belatedly rectifying this, but all parties are under pressure to
explain how they will make rail travel cheaper and simpler for
the army of commuters and part-time workers.
“In particular, we need rail fares that reflect modern working
practices. A season ticket system based on Monday-Friday is
stuck in the past, and we need fairly discounted season
tickets for part-time workers introduced as a priority and a
fast track for Oyster style Smart Ticketing. This requires
a Government
leadership: we've waited too long for TOCs
to take voluntary action on simplifying train tickets, we've had
various 'trials', it's time for the next Government to bring in
simpler cheaper multi-modal ticketing.”
Ends
For further information please contact Richard Watkins
on 020 7566
6494 / 07984 773
468 or Richard.watkins@bettertransport.org.uk
Notes to Editors
Read our briefing paper 2015 Election: Rail
commuters hold key to half of marginals and
our updated figures can be read here Election 2017
