‘Don’t use rail fares as a tax,’ MPs say

Many lower-paid workers have no choice but to travel at peak times, the report says
Many lower-paid workers have no choice but to travel at peak times, the report says
ANDY RAIN/EPA

Peak rail fare increases are effectively a “tax on commuters” and should not be used to reduce the cost of the railways, MPs have said.

Above-inflation fare increases have come into force this week across the UK, and the Transport Select Committee has warned the Government that reducing the taxpayer’s contribution to the railways must not be done by “ramping up fares”.

In a report published today, the committee states: “Many lower-paid workers have no choice but to travel at peak times. Higher prices at peak times might make a difference to demand at the margin, but would for the most part be a tax on commuters who have no effective choice over how or when they travel.”

Louise Ellman, MP, chairwoman of the committee,