The South Devon Green Party got in touch about train fares. It seems the Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond, is proposing to remove the current system, which links rail fares to inflation.
Dr Sam Moss, who was the Green Party candidate in Torbay, said: “We already have the highest rail fares in the world here in the UK. Proposed rail fare increases of six per cent for January 2011 could be increased to 10 per cent or more if the Government removes controls on rail fares.
“If commuters despair of the ticket prices and take to the roads, then the traffic congestion, noise and air pollution in Devon will obviously get worse. We need an integrated approach to transport.
“Rail fares should be cut – to increase passenger numbers and to help keep congestion and pollution down. Suggestions of delays to the delivery of new carriages should be abandoned.
“Supporting increased rail use is a clear priority if the Government means what it says about reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The railways are not a sensible area for cuts.
“Additional taxation is possible on cigarettes, alcohol and the highest incomes as examples and should have been achieved in the recent budget. There is always an alternative to misdirected cuts in public spending and justifiable increased spending on the railway system is a clear example.”
(image: Dr Sam Moss)
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