Wolverhampton train passengers protest against hike in rail fares

Fed up train passengers have been protesting outside Wolverhampton railway station against a hike in ticket costs.

Published

MP Rob Marris was part of a small group of campaigners handing out leaflets on Railway Drive after an average national price increase of 2.3 per cent came into force on Monday.

Trade-union backed campaigners Action For Rail organised demonstrations at more than 100 stations across the country on Tuesday, including in Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.

In Wolverhampton, the city's south west MP Mr Marris was joined by around six trade union and Labour Party members.

According to new figures, fares have risen three times faster than wages since 2010.

This year's rise in fares is the highest since January 2014, when they increased by 2.8 per cent.

Bank Holiday travellers at Wolverhampton railway station yesterday told how much their journeys have gone up by.

Ian Rees, aged 36, lives in Bilston and is a biomedical scientist who works in Worcester.

Ian Rees

He said: "I've just bought my monthly season ticket and it costs me £155 for that. Then it costs me £38 for the plus bus to get me from the station to work.

"It's a big chunk of your monthly income to be honest. It doesn't surprise me how much it's gone up because every time I buy one of these tickets they increase."