Labour announces biggest ever rail fares cut of 33% in a move that will save the average commuter over £1000 a year

Labour will announce the biggest ever cuts to rail fares in England tomorrow (Monday) after we learnt over the weekend that rail fares are set to rise again by an average of 2.7% next year.

Labour’s plans for an integrated railway under public ownership will:

Cut regulated rail fares by 33% from January 2020, saving the average commuter £1097 a year.

Guarantee fair fares for part-time workers.

Deliver a simple, London-style ticketing system across the nation.

Make rail travel free for those 16 years old and under.

Most commuter fares including peak time fares and season tickets are regulated fares, which make up almost half of all tickets sold, and will be reduced by 33%, the biggest ever reduction in rail fares, to tackle the crisis of unaffordability on the railway and give relief to millions of rail commuters from years of excessive price rises.

Labour will guarantee fair fares for part time workers by ensuring that workers who commute fewer than 5 days a week pay no more per journey than full-time workers who use weekly season tickets – meaning part-time workers will see their fares cut by more than a third.

Labour will also deliver wholesale reform of fares and ticketing, replacing the current system with a simple, London-style ticketing system across the nation, delivering contactless payments and creating zonal rail fares that will apply across all modes of public transport.

Rail travel will be made free for those age 16 years old and younger to encourage young people to use public transport, tackle generational inequality and make family holidays more affordable.

Labour’s plan for an integrated railway under public ownership will deliver easy and affordable access to sustainable public transport to boost economic growth and reduce road traffic to tackle congestion, air pollution and climate emissions.

Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

“Travelling by train is my favourite way of getting around the country but for too long a fragmented and privatised rail system has ripped-off passengers.

“Taking back control of our railways is the only way to bring down fares and create a railway network that is fit for the future.

“Labour will bring about real change on the railways because we are on the side of passengers.”

Andy McDonald, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, said:

“Privatisation has created one of the most complex, exploitative and expensive ticketing systems in the world. Labour will scrap the bewildering and outdated fares and ticketing system that discriminates against part-time workers, discourages rail travel and excludes the young and low paid.

“Labour is on the side of passengers which is why we will introduce a simpler, fairer and more affordable system for all, integrated with other forms of public transport. Rail passengers who want to save hundreds or thousands of pounds next year need to vote Labour on 12th December. Labour will deliver a railway in public ownership for the many, not the few.”