Reading commuters hit with £187 hike in rail fares

• Liberal Democrats call for fare freeze as cost of living crisis worsens 
• Annual season ticket for Reading commuters forecasted to reach £5044 for the first time
• London travelcards for tube and bus services set to be scrapped for Reading passengers
• 10% of people in Reading regularly commute by train

The cost of an annual season ticket for Reading commuters will rise by the most in a decade despite the cost of living crisis worsening. 

Annual season ticket prices between Reading and London Paddington will rise by a staggering £185 to £5044.

By 2026, the annual season ticket price for Reading commuters is forecasted to be £5,567 if the Government does not freeze rail fares. The rise comes despite reduced services compared to pre-pandemic timetables. 

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

The Liberal Democrats are calling for rail fares to be frozen for five years and for pre-pandemic timetables to be restored. 

James Moore, Liberal Democrat campaigner for Reading, said:

“It is outrageous to hike rail fares in the middle of a cost of living crisis.  This Conservative Government is completely out of touch. 

“Tax rises are coming, energy bills are skyrocketing and now rail fares are set to rise for people in Reading.

“I am calling for a fair deal for people in Reading with a fare freeze and the Government to cancel all tax hikes. The cost of living crisis is getting worse by the week and Boris Johnson is too busy trying to save his own job”

“We should be making green forms of transport cheaper, yet this Conservative Government is determined to make rail more expensive than ever before.”