“Passengers and taxpayers alike are being ripped off”  - Sign Caroline's rail petition

Caroline was at Brighton train station today collecting signatures for her petition against the extremely high cost of tickets for services provided by Southern and First Capital Connect.

And with the announcement today that rail fares will increase by over 4%, she said passengers and taxpayers alike are being “ripped off” by the privatised rail system.    She has written to the Shadow Transport Secretary urging Labour to support her Bill calling for the railways to be brought back into public ownership.

Caroline said:  “People in Brighton and Hove, and across the UK, are sick of paying a fortune for train services which aren’t good enough.

“We have to put up with unreliable services, overcrowding, and some of the highest fares in Europe.  Since the railways were sold off, the cost of train travel has risen by 17%.  And in recent years, the cost to the taxpayer has more than doubled.  Meanwhile, shareholders are generating huge profits.

“Passengers and taxpayers alike are being ripped off.

"By taking back individual franchises when they expire, or when companies fail to meet their conditions, the Government could save over £1 billion a year every year.  This is money that could and should be reinvested in services, and also used to reduce fares.

“I hope Labour will support the growing campaign for Britain’s railways to be brought back into public hands.”

Download and sign the petition.  (Unfortunately, as we're presenting petitions to the House of Commons, you can't sign online).