22/3/07

BOURNEMOUTH WEST MP CHALLENGES SOUTH WEST TRAINS ON FARE INCREASES

Bournemouth West M.P., Sir John Butterfill, has written to the Managing Director of South West Trains asking how they can possibly justify their new pricing structure which is due to be implemented from the 20th May.

SW Trains are proposing to introduce a three tier pricing system:  a new off peak band which increases current fares by up to 20%, a super off peak fare which increases them by up to 3% and first class fares which will increase fares by between 15 and 20%.

In his letter, John says:  “I must say that these seem to be huge price increases and well above the rate of inflation.  They will cause particular problems for my constituents”.  He has, therefore, asked SW Trains how they can possibly justify these increases.

John has also put down a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Transport asking him to make a statement on the increases.