Hove MP slams south-to-north train subsidies

Following the announcement that rail fairs are set to increase by an average of 4.1%, Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, has criticised the convoluted system of subsidies that is in place and called for an end to the practice.

Currently train users in the South subsidise other train users in the North and Scotland. Mike has expressed concern on a number of occasions over the sharp rise in rail fares for many of his constituents who commute to work. Passengers in the South face overcrowded trains, daily delays and crippling annual fares.

He has written to his colleague the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport, to highlight his concerns about the subsidies and to request that the Department for Transport does away with the unfair financial formula.

He said:

“Brighton & Hove is one of the most expensive places to live in the country and commuters to London are already paying through the nose simply to get to work, so it is offensive that they are expected to subsidise trains in the North. The previous government created an opaque franchise system that is unfair and unsustainable. My constituents can be assured that I will be urging my colleagues in the Department for Transport to change the biased formula.”