'Cost-of-living pressures are very real right now': Yvette Cooper MP welcomes rail fare freezes for commuters in the Five Towns
Yvette Cooper, MP for Pontefract, Castleford, Knottingley and Altofts has welcomed rail fare freezes for Five Towns commuters getting back to work after the new year.
In the budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that rail fares would be frozen for the first time in 30 years.
The freeze, which is in place until March 2027, will apply to all regulated fares, which includes season tickets and off-peak returns.
The move aims to save commuters hundreds of pounds off their season tickets, freeze costs for travellers, and support growth in town centres across the country.
On the freeze, Yvette Cooper MP, said: “This is important news for commuters in Pontefract, Castleford, Knottingley and Normanton.
“Cost-of-living pressures are very real right now so freezing fares is one of many steps this Labour Government is taking to put money back in the pockets of working people.”
The freeze was announced as part of the Autumn Budget, that was delivered last November.
The change comes alongside action by the Labour Government to freeze fuel duty and prescription charges and increase the minimum wage.
Following the announcement, Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so we’re freezing fares to help millions of passengers save money.
“Commuters on more expensive routes will save more than £300 per year, meaning they keep more of their hard-earned cash.
“This is part of our wider plans to rebuild Great British Railways the public can be proud of and rely on.”
The Great British Rail Sale is also currently underway, with up to 50 per cent off over three million selected advance and off-peak Northern train tickets.