PRESS RELEASE: Lib Dems will freeze rail fare increases in Esher & Walton saving commuters hundreds of pounds

Monica Harding with Ed Davey at Hinchley Wood station

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will freeze rail fares for Esher & Walton commuters and season ticket holders for the next five years, while fixing the broken fares and ticketing system.

A Liberal Democrat government would cancel the 2.8% rail fare increase planned for December 2019 and freeze Esher & Walton commuter fares and season tickets for the entirety of the next five years.

These proposals would save season ticket holders from Esher to London £1,125 over the next five years. This policy is expected to cost approximately £1.6 billion.

The Liberal Democrats would also overhaul ticketing by simplifying the system, looking to create season tickets for part-time commuters and introducing early-bird fares. The party would ensure that all rail franchises apply delay repay compensation for delays of 15 minutes or more.

What it means for you

(*) cumulative saving based on predicted annual RPI increases

Liberal Democrat candidate for Esher and Walton, Monica Harding said:

“Under the Tories, Esher and Walton commuters have been catastrophically let down. People are paying way over the odds for what has often been an appalling service. Dominic Raab has done little to represent them and even his voting record shows he has consistently voted against slowing the rises to rail fares.

“The Liberal Democrats will build a brighter future by freezing fares from the stations within Esher and Walton to London for the next five years, saving local commuters hundreds of pounds. We will properly invest in fixing our creaking rail network to improve capacity and reduce overcrowding, so Esher and Walton commuters are no longer treated like cattle.

“But this is about more than just providing more funding. We will also strip rail companies of franchises if they don’t meet the standards expected of them, and develop new transport mutual companies to foster alternative competition.”

NOTE: Savings are based on predicted RPI increases through to 2024/5. The price of an annual season ticket from Esher to London is taken from National Rail. It does not include Travelcard zones 1-6.