A CAMPAIGNING MP has slammed a decision to raise rail fares for Bolton commuters.

Local provider Northern Rail has increased the cost of travelling on off-peak services across Greater Manchester to bring them in line with the cost of similar fares on its network.

As a result, the maximum price of an off-peak day return ticket or a Cheap Day Return fare will now be £4.90 for any journey within the Greater Manchester region — an increase of 50p.

Bolton North East MP David Crausby said the rise is ‘unacceptable’ in the face of continually difficult conditions for rail passengers.

He said: “I don’t think people would mind don’t think people would be as unhappy if they were getting a decent level of service.

“But when they are being asked to pay more and still having to stand throughout their journey, well that is completely and utterly unacceptable.”

Northern’s regional director for Manchester Liam Sumpter defended the move.

He said: “I appreciate that this means some fares are increasing, but our off-peak fares still offer great value for money to anyone wanting to travel across the Greater Manchester area.”

He added: “Looking ahead we have just embarked on a £1billion, four-year improvement programme at Northern. Customers in the Manchester area will see new and improved trains, with more capacity and more services that will deliver a better travel experience.”

But Mr Crausby — who backed The Bolton News’ Let’s Get Back on Track campaign, calling for better conditions for the town’s suffering commuters — said the rise is ‘another example of why privatisation has not worked.’

He said: “I am not someone who thinks we should nationalise everything in the country but this is a particular area where I think we should.

“When we privatise things I think they become incredibly inefficient and it just isn’t working, “We need to bring all of our rail services together and the only way to do that is through nationalisation.”