Liberal Democrat research has revealed that First Great Western, which operate the trains which call at Oldfield Park Station,  are charging up to three times much per miles as some other train operators, and are by far and away the most expensive operator nationally. 

On average, First Great Western customers pay 70p per mile on their journeys, a staggering 18p more per mile than the next most expensive, East Midland Trains.  In comparison, customers using South West Trains pay just 34p per mile on average.  Bottom of the pile are Arriva Trains Wales, at 25p per mile.

Bath MP Don Foster said, “There can surely be no excuse for First Great Western to charge almost three times as much as Arriva Trains Wales.  People in Bath are simply being ripped off.  It is little wonder that many here are sceptical of public transport.  This country now seems to have a postcode lottery with regard to rail fares.  It is unacceptable that there is such a huge variation in the price per mile of travelling by train in the country.

We are lucky in Bath that we have a choice of trains to London, and many people are very grateful for the affordable service provided to South West Trains to London Waterloo, even though it takes almost twice as long.  Sadly, the Government takes no interest in how much rail passengers have to pay and is content to see prices ratcheted up above inflation year after year.

Liberal Democrats are asking the Office of Rail Regulation to investigate the issue of relative ticket prices between companies.