BOLTON MP David Crausby says proposed “super peak”

rail fares could price some local commuters out of work.

The Government recently won a vote in Parliament to introduce higher fares at peak times in a bid to tackle congestion on the railways.

But the Bolton North East MP claimed the proposed new super peak rail ticket would see commuters forced to pay more to travel on the most popular train services.

Mr Crausby joined other Labour MPs in opposing the plans, but they were defeated in a Commons vote.

Labour said it wants to ban train companies from increasing fares above a cap set by ministers, meaning prices would rise by no more than one per cent above inflation if Labour were in power.

Mr Crausby said: “The Government has shown how out of touch it is. Ministers have caved in to pressure from the private train companies by allowing them to make massive increases to rail fares at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet. If the Government gets away with introducing these new tickets, then many working people in Bolton will be priced out of simply being able to get to their jobs.

“People want to see the Government supporting them instead of making commuting to work a luxury few can afford