Home Local News Failing Grayling fails passengers again, but protects railway bosses

Failing Grayling fails passengers again, but protects railway bosses

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After months of misery, which saw trains cancelled or re scheduled resulting in thousands of passengers stranded or late for work. Causing total chaos for traveller’s right across Lancashire. Rail fare increase of 3.2% have been announced for rail passengers across the north. Even with cancellations and continuing to hamper rail users.

According to research released today by the Trade Union Congress shows that rail fares have increased at more than twice the speed of wages since 2008. Rail fares have risen by 42% over the past ten years, while nominal weekly earnings have only grown by 18%.

Cllr Erica Lewis, Lancashire Labour’s spokesperson for Highways and Transport said, “A train fare increase of 3.2% for rail passengers in the north is simply ridiculous. The idea that train companies after costing passenger’s time and money because of their inability to plan should be given a fare increase of any amount is just insulting.

“This fare increase, which the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling could have stopped, clearly says that the government doesn’t care about the pain passengers have suffered, or recognise that over that since 2008 rail fares have increased at more than twice the speed of nominal weekly earnings.”

“As usual Chris Grayling, is confused about what he can and can’t do in relation to the railway system. He could have frozen fares, but instead has just floated an idea that it’s the fault of the railway workers pay, something he isn’t responsible form, and in true Tory fashion has chosen to attack workers. Yet he has failed to suggest that railway bosses should take a pay cut or even the companies should cover the cost until they get the service right and put passengers before profits.

“Where are these train bosses and why aren’t they responding to passengers concerns about the service they are supposed to be providing?”

  • “The Labour Party has called for a freeze on fares for Northern Rail, and Transpennine Express.
  • Powers should be given to Transport for the North to cancel the franchise agreement and take the service into public ownership.
  • A fully integrated transport service, including buses, be established in Lancashire in partnership with Transport for the North.”

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