Sir John Stanley said today:
"On the information available to me, Southeastern's fare increases in Kent for peak-time rail travellers are higher than those being made for commuters by any other train operating company in England. I have asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he agrees that this is the case and, if so, to provide a full explanation. Southeastern shouldn't be allowed to get away with their exorbitant fare increases for commuters, and it is high time they were held to account.
"I was one of just three Conservative MPs who refused to support the then Conservative Government on the Third Reading of the Rail Privatisation Bill - not because I was opposed to the policy of rail privatisation but because I was concerned that my constituents could be exposed to unaffordable rail fare increases.
"Following the strong representations made by myself and others on this issue, the then Secretary of State for Transport, Dr Brian Mawhinney, brought in an entirely justified cap on rail fare increases at no more than the rate of inflation or 1% below the rate of inflation for the first 7 years after rail privatisation. This cap was reprehensibly removed by the last Labour Government leading to rip-roaring annual rail fare increases way above inflation."