Folkestone & Sandling Face Inflation-busting Fare Rises Despite the Most Expensive Fares in Europe

5.19.21pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Jun 2006

A new report shown that the number of passengers who think their train ticket offers value for money has sunk to an all-time low, and research from the Liberal Democrats shows that British rail fares are the most expensive in Europe.

Locally, fares from Folkestone Central, West and Sandling are set to increase at well above the rate of inflation for the next three years as Govia hike ticket prices even further prior to the launch of services on the new high-speed rail link.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Alistair Carmichael MP said:

"After nine years of this Government, travelling by train is fast becoming an expensive luxury.

"Since Labour came to power the real cost of motoring has declined by 9 per cent, whereas rail fares have increased by 5 per cent.

"Ten pounds in Britain will barely take you from one county to the next, whereas in Europe it takes you to the next country.

"An efficient rail network accessible to all is an essential part of a sustainable transport system, yet passengers are being failed by an excessively complex fare and timetable structure."