The cost of an annual season ticket for Harrogate & Knaresborough commuters could rise by up to £173.52 next year, the highest amount in over a decade.
Harrogate rail commuters set for biggest price hike in last decade The cost of an annual season ticket for Harrogate and Knaresborough commuters could rise by up to £173.52 next year - the biggest hike in over a decade. It comes after yesterday's figures show that Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation in July reached 9%. This is the figure normally used to increase rail fares from next March. And the Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to freeze rail fares after ministers refused to say by how much rail tickets will rise by next year. Annual season ticket prices between Harrogate and Leeds is expected to rise from £1,928 to £2,101. The rise comes despite disrupted services over the past year due to industrial action and frequent cancellation of trains across the region, including the Government taking over the failing Transpennine Express. The Liberal Democrats are calling for rail fares to be frozen for five years. The party is also calling for improved reliability in the current train services, and the electrification of the line between Leeds and Harrogate. Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Harrogate & Knaresborough, said:
“Liberal Democrats are fighting for a fair deal for local commuters and families who will be left forking out even more for train journeys in the middle of a cost of living crisis. “Ministers cannot keep turning a blind eye to these problems, especially given people are paying more for less on our rail network with more delays, cancellations and their failure to deal with the strikes. “If this Government had even a shred of decency they would freeze rail fares immediately to help families struggling under the cost of living crisis the Conservatives created."Mr Gordon added:
“We know that our local line is close to capacity, in dire need of investment, and the paying more for the status quo simply isn’t good enough. “We should be making clean forms of transport cheaper, yet this Conservative Government is determined to make rail more expensive than ever before.”Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
Former farmer scoops Starbeck in Bloom prize with homegrown onion
Ripon's former Quarry Moor Activity Centre to make way for new hub
Harrogate district community groups share £89,000 funding boost
Over 500 Afghans resettled in North Yorkshire as 23 households await new homes
Terminal illness council tax exemption could cost North Yorkshire £2.2m a year
Former Harrogate bank to reopen as solicitors' office
Harrogate's Fitness Garage reaches national awards final
CCTV appeal: Jellycat toys stolen from Harrogate gift shop
Harrogate dad fulfils dream with new Otley Road barber shop
Fearless Harrogate gran, 80, completes charity wingwalk
Sir Gareth Southgate to join Martin House Glitter Ball in Harrogate
Artist gives colourful makeover to Harrogate's BT boxes
Halloween trail and animal encounters coming to Harlow Carr
M&S graffiti sparks police investigation in Harrogate
Harrogate's dinosaur LEGO trail hailed as huge success
Knaresborough team raises over £3,300 for charity as part of Three Peaks challenge
Mayor brands lack of fixed speed cameras in North Yorkshire ‘shameful’
Appeal after cooking oil stolen from Harrogate restaurant
Harrogate Homeless Project launches 35th anniversary appeal
Five more years in jail for fraudster who targeted Harrogate man
