Government should reduce East Coast fares

10.09.00pm GMT Tue 1st Dec 2009

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman for Newcastle East Greg Stone has urged the Government to take action on high rail fares on the East Coast main line now that they have nationalised the service, replacing National Express.

There is speculation that the Government is considering reviewing East Coast fares after it emerged thousands of seats are going unsold. Peak time standard return tickets from Newcastle to London can now cost as much as £275, and offpeak returns as much as £165, whilst the less environmentally friendly option of budget airline flights to London cost as little as £75. It is also reported faster services may be under consideration by introducing an "express" London-Edinburgh service calling only at York and Newcastle.

Greg Stone said "After a succession of less than effective Transport Secretaries, Lord Adonis is proving a vast improvement and is clearly passionate about improving the railways. I urge him to take advantage of the nationalisation of East Coast services to give passengers a better deal and look forward to a reduction in the price of tickets. "