Ipswich Labour Party today challenged the Tory-led Government on unfair hikes in the price of rail tickets.

Councillor Phil Smart took a giant ticket to Ipswich train station to highlight the fare increase. The ticket outlines concerns that the proposed increases, announced by the Tory-led Government in November, will see the cost of an annual train ticket from Ipswich to London increase by £384 (6.8%) to £6060.

Labour's Transport spokesperson, and regular train user, Cllr Phil Smart, said:

“The Tory-led Government has hit Ipswich commuters hard by reversing the decision Labour took in government to force train companies to apply price controls to fares individually. Now many local commuters will see their fares go by 6.8% a year.

“This is a real blow to local commuters just as they are facing the squeeze from wage freezes, a VAT rise and cuts to child benefit. It’s just not fair on hardworking local families and individuals.                            

“In opposition the Tories said that an increase in rail fares of this amount would price people off the railways.  These increases make a mockery of the Tories 'green travel' policies. Labour is the only party to be trusted with public transport"