Emma Reynolds, Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton North East, has spoken out against the recent inflation-busting rise in train fares. With the New Year, train fares have risen an average of 1.1 percent, with some season tickets now costing approximately £10,000 a year. Emma was at Wolverhampton station on the first working day of the new fares to campaign against the rise brought in by the current Tory government.

Emma said “It is a scandal that the Tory government are increasing rail fares by more than inflation. Over the past 5 years they have gone up 3 times faster than wages, and today’s increase is another slap in the face for hard working commuters. Season tickets from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury and Stoke-on-Trent have gone up by £380 and £552 respectively”

“Despite having to cough up an extra 25 percent on average over the last 5 years for their increased fares, rail users in Wolverhampton have received little benefit. I have been campaigning for a new railway station in the city since I was first elected in 2010, and we are still waiting for the Tory government to commit the cash needed to give Wolverhampton the station it needs and deserves.”