Local Lib Dem MPs Demand Rail Fare Freeze Amid Soaring Costs

Liberal Democrat MPs Charlotte Cane (Ely and East Cambridgeshire), Pippa Heylings (South Cambridgeshire) and Ian Sollom (St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire) are calling for an immediate freeze on rail fares, as new figures reveal commuters could face steep increases next year.

Under current government policy, regulated rail fares are set to rise by 5.8% in 2026–27, in line with July’s Retail Price Index (RPI). 

Annual season tickets to London could rise by hundreds of pounds under the proposed fare hike:

• Cambridge: up by £345 to £6,297 a year
• Ely: up by £392 to £7,156 a year
• Meldreth: up by £364 to £6,644 a year
• St Neots: up by £385 to £7,025 a year

That means commuters could be paying hundreds more for services that are already plagued by delays and cancellations.

Commenting on the rail fare rise, Liberal Democrat MPs Charlotte Cane (Ely and East Cambridgeshire),  Pippa Heylings (South Cambridgeshire) and Ian Sollom (St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire) said: 

“At a time when trains are being cancelled left, right and centre, and people are already struggling with the cost of living, it is outrageous to ask commuters to pay more for poor service. A fare rise now would pile insult on injury for rail users in Cambridgeshire.

“Chaos under the Conservatives has given way to complacency under Labour — but for passengers the misery is the same. Putting up fares is a false economy that will drive people off trains and starve the railways of long-term revenue.

“We are calling for a freeze on fares and a real plan to get more people onto trains. Commuters deserve a reliable service at a fair price.”