The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has condemned proposals to increase regulated rail fares by a further 3.6% from January 2018.

Councillor Sykes represents Oldham Council on the Transport for Greater Manchester committee.

The 3.6% fare increase is based on the Retail Prices Index inflation figure for July 2017 and is the maximum permitted, as well as the highest-increase for five years.

Councillor Sykes said: “This unwelcome news comes on top of recent announcements that Metrolink fares are likely to be hiked up significantly. At a time when workers are really feel the pinch, these fare increases may make travel for Oldham residents seeking work in other parts of Greater Manchester and beyond, unaffordable, and will discourage social mobility.”

Echoing the call of transport groups for the RPI measure to be scrapped, Councillor Sykes said: “Many workers have not had a pay increase for several years and a 3.6% rise is simply not affordable when utility and household bills are also being increased. This arbitrary measure should be scrapped and further price increases should be based upon real increases in wages and an improved performance by the railways.”

Councillor Sykes is also concerned about the impact this increase may have on our environment: “Price hikes discourage rail use and encourage passengers to get back in their cars increasing air pollution and traffic congestion – this is not good for us or for our planet.”