Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on the Board of Transport for Greater Manchester, has condemned as “scandalous” Northern Rail’s imposition of a third increase in many rail fares in nine months.

From Sunday 21 May, Northern Rail has increased some fares by nearly ten per cent; adding 50p to the majority off-peak single and return tickets within Greater Manchester.

Cllr Sykes said: “This is the third rail fare hike in nine months, with previous increases in September 2016 and January this year.  Northern has targeted the off-peak fares which are not regulated by the Government.”

“At a time when we should be encouraging drivers to get out of their cars and take the train to reduce road congestion and air pollution, and when we should be encouraging train passengers to make more use of the quieter off-peak services, Northern has decided to make things harder for them by once more hiking the price.”

“This is crazy and shows that Northern is more focused on making more profits for its parent company, German state rail operator Arriva, than it is on helping the cash-strapped rail passenger.”