19 February, 2009

A report by the Passenger Focus Group on the high cost of rail fares in the UK reflect Metro's findings that fare levels are a serious concerns for rail users.

"Compared with other parts of the UK, passengers making journeys within West Yorkshire pay relatively low fares thanks to Metro's annual subsidy of over £70m for the county's train services," said Metro chairman Councillor Chris Greaves.

"Local fares have risen but a significant part of those rises have been to fund the £20m deal which saw 1,700 extra seats on six additional trains introduced on local commuter services in December 2006.

"But we are very conscious that unless booked well in advance fares for long-distance rail journeys are higher than those in Europe, which will discourage people from taking what is the greener option," he added.

Councillor Greaves said Metro wanted the issues of long-distance fares and ticketing arrangements addressed at Government level and that more investment is needed to support the massive growth in passenger numbers.

He confirmed that Metro would continue to press the case for more train capacity and further electrification of routes that would improve services across West Yorkshire and the Leeds City Region.