Fair fares for Tunbridge Wells commuters

Hats off to the Courier who recently launched its Fare Deal campaign in a bid to stop Southeastern hammering hard-pressed commuters with another inflation-busting fare increase.

Season ticket holders in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge have suffered eye-watering fare increases of 90 per cent and 83 per cent respectively since privatisation began in 1995.

In the five years since Southeastern has owned the franchise, fares have rocketed at Tunbridge Wells railway station by 43 per cent.

Last year alone saw a hefty rise in the cost of a season ticket.

In Tunbridge Wells it went up from £3,352 to £3,748 – an 11.81 per cent hike. In Tonbridge it went up from £3,048 to £3,408 – also 11.81 per cent.

The Courier is campaigning for Southeastern to keep its fare increases to the average of no more than RPI plus 3 per cent, after years of excessive rises.

Do you want to put pressure on Southeastern to keep 2012's fares down? If so, sign the online petition here.