Lib Dems will freeze rail fare increases in Wiltshire saving commuters thousands of pounds  

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will freeze rail fare increases for South West Wiltshire 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 2018 and freeze South West Wiltshire commuter fares and season tickets for the entirety of the next five years.

These proposals would save season ticket holders from Trowbridge to London, £3,977.47 over the next five years and from Tisbury to London, £2,752.27. 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.

Liberal Democrat candidate for South West Wiltshire, Ellen Nicholson said:

"Under the Tories, Wiltshire commuters have been catastrophically let down. People are paying way over the odds for what has often been an appalling service.

"The Liberal Democrats will build a brighter future by freezing fares from South West Wiltshire to London for the next five years, saving local commuters thousands pounds. We will properly invest in fixing our creaking rail network to improve capacity and reduce overcrowding, so South West Wiltshire 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."