Off-peak rail ticket rise just not fare

OLDHAM East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams is demanding a full explanation of the abolition of local off-peak rail fares.

The plan comes into operation from Monday afternoon, part of the extension of Northern Rail’s franchise until February 2016, under which Government subsidy is reduced and fares will consequently rise.

From Monday combined off-peak train and tram tickets will no longer be valid on local trains on weekdays, but will remain valid on Metrolink trams.

Now Labour MP Debbie Abrahams has written to Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport.

She said: “Given the current cost-of-living crisis, with price increases outstripping wages by a considerable margin, this decision is simply unfair and penalises my constituents by using them as a revenue raiser.”

She added: “One of the conditions of the extension of the franchise set out by the Department of Transport is that Northern Rail must raise revenue. We’ve seen a pitifully low level of investment in the rail system and I share constituents’ concerns that this extra revenue will end up in the pockets of shareholders, rather than being ploughed into improvements in local rail services.”