MP blasts Virgin Trains price hikes

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today slammed Virgin Trains for hiking train fares after Christmas on some tickets by an eye-watering 6%.

Virgin Trains have announced this morning that their 'Standard anytime' fares used by many travellers in the South Lakes will go up by 6%, and average fares will rise by 1.2%. The fare rises will be brought in for January 2010 but any ticket bought after the 5 December will be liable for the new prices.

The lack of ticket offices or advance purchase pick-up points at many of the smaller stations in the South Lakes effectively forces some travellers to pay the 'standard anytime' fare which are rising by the most.

Commenting following Virgin's announcement, Tim said: "To increase fares by this much in a recession is madness. This will not only put off local residents from using the train, but also damage our tourism industry as people choose to take advantage of flights to Spain which are often cheaper than train fares to the Lakes."