John, here with MEP Chris Davies, wants the Chancellor to curb fare increases.
I hope George Osborne and the Treasury will cut the train commuter some slack in the upcoming budget.
As a member of the Transport Select Committee, I know that this Government is investing more in our railways than any Government since the Victorian era in an effort to sort out Labour’s lack of investment. But we can’t just pass the costs on to the hard pressed Manchester commuter.
In 13 years, Labour’s record on Trains and Trams was shocking. They delayed the Metrolink extension locally, and electrified just 10 miles of track, compared to the 800 miles promised by this Government.
After Labour raised fares by a crippling 66 per cent in cash terms between 1997 and 2010, Britain has the most expensive railway network in Europe, up to 30 per cent more than our nearest competitors.
Last year, Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander negotiated a RPI+1% fare rise for 2012, much lower than planned by some Conservatives. I hope they will do at least as much this budget.
johnleechmp.wordpress.com 
Trains run on diesel (unless you are on an electrified line). People are up in arms over a small percentage ANNUAL rise in rail fares. Why cant rail fares go up like the price of fuel does for motorists, ie… all the time. Diesel has gone up 3p a litre in just the last month.
Why not keep the price of petrol/diesel to just 6%pa.
Why the concern for rail passengers but not motorists. I have no alternative in my work, in rural, sparse, West Wales.
I’d say rail fare price increases are quite LOW compared to the annual increase in petrol and diesel.