Government plot to raise fail fares

11.05.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 16th Jul 2007

The Liberal Democrats have condemned as outrageous the news that the government were behind the massive rail fares hike.

The Department for Transport has told rail companies that they can only bid for franchises if they plan serious increases in unregulated rail fares. These fares have already risen by 18% above inflation in the last ten years and the news suggests that they may rise a further 30% by the end of the 8 year rail franchises."

Liberal Democrats MP David Howarth

Liberal Democrats MP David Howarth said, "It's an outrage. We should be encouraging more people to get out of their cars and use public transport but instead the Government is behind massive price hikes."

"We already have the most expensive rail fares in Europe; instead of rising prices we need greater investment in reliable and affordable public transport."