More than 100 MPs have signed a Commons motion criticising Government proposals for the future of railways, warning of worsening services, higher fares and job cuts.
An Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled by Labour MP John McDonnell is attracting cross-party support in the UK, amid fresh anger at the amount of investment being made in the railways, while fares "go through the roof".
The EDM warns Government plans "will worsen passenger services through the loss of thousands of frontline workers from trains, stations, ticket offices, safety-critical infrastructure and operational roles", and "will result in higher fares, cuts in services and more crowded trains".
The MPs who have signed the EDM are urging the Government to run the railway as a "public service" with "affordable fares and proper staffing levels".
Research by the TUC union said that, while fare prices were rising, investment by train operating companies across the railway network had been halved over the past five years.
TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "MPs from across the political spectrum are voicing the concerns of thousands of their constituents who feel ripped off by private train operators who inflict heavy fare rises while cutting staff on trains and stations and keeping investment in decent facilities on trains and stations to a minimum."
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