Councillor calls for rail fare freeze as Lewes commuters face up to £466.20 price hike next year

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.

Lewes' Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, James MacCleary, is calling on the government to freeze rail fares, as the government have not yet confirmed by how much rail tickets will rise by next year.

Analysis from the Liberal Democrats of rail fare projections show that Lewes could be one of the worst impacted areas in the country by a rise in ticket prices. Annual season ticket prices between Lewes and London could rise by up to a staggering £466.20 to a total of £5,646.20.

Day travelcards for those travelling on national rail services to London are also set to be scrapped, meaning Lewes passengers will pay more for tube and bus services in the capital.

James MacCleary said: “Like many local residents I commuted to London from Lewes for years. This government have allowed rail fares to increase to unmanageable levels. They say they want people to use trains but their behaviour suggests otherwise.

"I am fighting for a fair deal for commuters across our area. It's not just families in Lewes who will be left forking out even more for train journeys in the middle of a cost of living crisis but also in Polegate, Newhaven, Plumpton and Seaford.

“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.”

The rise comes despite disrupted services over the past year due to industrial action and the Government’s plans to close ticket offices at stations around the country.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for rail fares to be frozen for five years. The party is also calling for a rethink over planned ticket office closures and for the Government to finally resolve the strike action disrupting services.