Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale recently tabled an incredibly important motion that resonates in Bolton, and I want to reiterate it.

We are all aware of the chaotic mismanagement and timetabling fiasco that Northern Rail delivered from April this year.  Between 1 April and 21 July 2018 around 900 trains a day were cancelled, and punctuality on Britain’s railways has hit a 12-year low due to delays and disruptions.  Ticket prices are sky-high compared to other European nations and it has been announced that ticket prices will increase 3% from January 2019.

I agree with Tim Farron and call on the businesses, under the oversight of Chris Grayling (who has argued that Northern Rail shouldn’t be stripped of its franchise, and for whose resignation I have previously called), to freeze train fares in 2019.

It is only fair that Northern Rail, under the guidance of this Conservative Government improves the reliability and quality of transport before it can even begin to think about hiking fares.