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Train fares

I am very concerned at South West Train's plans to impose substantial increases on some off-peak fares for passengers travelling from Bournemouth to London.

I believe that the fare increases of up to 20% are punitive and am particularly concerned about the fact that SWT announced the increase without consulting with passengers or passengers' representatives.

I have raised the matter in a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Transport.  However, the Minister who replied merely stated that the fares are unregulated and that approval does not, therefore, have to be sought from the Department for Transport.

I have also written to the Managing Director of South West Trains, asking how they could possibly justify their new pricing structure which is well above the rate of inflation and which will cause particular problems for my constituents.  He, however, blames the Government for expecting users of the railway to shoulder a greater proportion of the costs of financing the operation.

I shall, however, continue to do whatever I can to oppose these punitive increases.