Commuters from Reading faced further New Year misery in addition to the biting cold weather with the introduction of yet further price hikes to the cost of rail travel. Reading East MP Matt Rodda attended a campaigning event at Reading Station on 2
January 2018.

Passengers were being leafleted outside Reading Station on the day the latest fare increases of up to 3.6% came into effect; an increase for Reading commuters to London which will see season ticket prices soar to record levels.

Matt Rodda condemned the latest swathe of rising prices in rail travel from his constituency to the capital and said:

“Reading’s passengers are already paying thousands of pounds each year for their rail travel. The cost of a season ticket to travel into London has now risen from £5,116.00 to £5,300.00; this is deeply unfair. At the same time, wages are not
keeping up with the substantial rise in the cost of living. This further increase in rail fares will penalise those who are simply trying to get by and earn a living in these ever-increasingly difficult and austere times.”