Anger at National Express's inflation busting fares increase

Brentwood's Liberal Democrats are demanding that National Express East Anglia abandons its plans to impose a 6% in the price of regulated fares, season tickets and saver tickets.

The announcement of the inflation-busting fares hike on 21st November was met with an angry response by Cllr David Kendall, Leader of Brentwood's Lib Dems and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Brentwood & Ongar.

"Train passengers living in Brentwood are being hit for six by National Express East Anglia," Cllr Kendall. "At a time when people are struggling with the recession, this train company is adding to people's difficulties and is stinging passengers for more cash.

"These rises could make the recession worse in Brentwood and I am calling on the government to step in and use the power they have over regulated fares to impose a freeze on ticket prices for a year. This could be paid for from within the Government's road-widening budget.

"Just as the Government stepped in to freeze fuel duty for motorists because of the recession, they should change their mind and stop these price increases going ahead.

"Rail passengers will rightly feel that they are being taken for a ride National Express East Anglia. They have every right to feel angry with this price hike and with the Government for letting it happen."

The Government has agreed that the ticket price increases can come into effect on 2nd January 2009.