PEOPLE IN KENT - NOT FREE TO MOVE?

Kent Green Party has written to the new Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening, to express concern about high public transport costs restricting the size of realistic travel to work areas for people in Kent(1). Steve Dawe explains:

“The UK has the highest rail fares in the world. Kent and Medway have the highest rail fares in the UK. Planned fare increases of 8-13% in January 2012 will make this worse. Combined with high bus fares throughout the County, Kent residents will inevitably have even more difficulty in future affording public transport - particularly for lower-paid forms of work. Bearing in mind that people are also cutting out car journeys due to higher fuel bills in our very rural County, we need action by Government to end the existing discrimination against Kent’s growing numbers of public transport users.

“Kent Green Party has written to the new Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening, to ask her to support commuters in Kent. By doing so, she could increase the distances people are able to afford to travel for work. We have specifically suggested that she: · Reduce Kent rail fares from current levels by 10%; · Increase support for Kent County Council funds which help to maintain bus services, with a view to reducing bus fares; · Force South Eastern to reduce the minimum Network Card fare on weekdays back to £10 instead of the current £13; · Re-consider ending South Eastern’s role as rail franchise holder for Kent and Medway.
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FURTHER INFORMATION: Steve Dawe, Press Officer, Kent Green Party on 01732 355185 or 07747 036192. Contact address as above. Published by Kent Green Party and promoted by H.Dawe, both at 27, Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF. Free monthly ezine KENT GREEN NEWS available for subscription at www.kentgreenparty.org

Notes: 1. Text of letter to Justine Greening: “TO: Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Transport FROM: Steve Dawe, Press Officer, Kent Green Party 21st October 2011 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF 01732 355185 07747 036192 Dear Justine Greening, EXCESSIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES IN KENT AND MEDWAY Kent and Medway have the highest rail fares in the world. Bus fares here are also very expensive. Kent Green Party wishes to know what steps you will take to reduce this effective discrimination against public transport users in our County. We are aware of many deficiencies in current tax collection, including the staffing levels of HMRC, and the continuation of tax havens on UK-controlled territory from which revenue could be increased to cover any costs associated with the changes we propose. In short, there are always alternatives to the currently under-performing tax regime. It is inevitable that the freedom of people in Kent to commute for work is being restricted more than in any other place in the UK, due to high commuting costs. The 90 minute journeys suggested by the Prime Minister are outside the scope of those being paid below average income due to exceptionally high rail fares. People with the necessary income do spend longer commuting to London from locations such as Folkestone, Canterbury, Dover and Margate. They do also often avoid using high speed services because of the exceptionally high fares. We would like you to take these steps: · Reduce Kent rail fares from current levels by 10%, and freeze them until they are line with the UK average; · Increase support for Kent County Council funds which help to maintain bus services, with a view to reducing bus fares; · Force South Eastern to reduce the minimum Network Card fare on weekdays back to £10 instead of the current £13; · Re-consider ending South Eastern’s role as rail franchise holder for Kent and Medway, in line with the stated preferences of MPs of your own Party on many occasions; · Add funds to local councils in Kent and Medway ring-fenced for improving cycling networks to make commuting by bicycle easier in those many places in Kent where it is difficult today due to long-term poor policy delivery in this area. Current fares for public transport in Kent and Medway are not consistent with the Government’s Carbon Plan, its stated goals for reducing human-created greenhouse gas emissions, its commitments to reduce air pollution from sectors like transport to which it is committed by its agreement to EU legislation nor does a car-based transport system strongly favoured by your predecessor assist either environmental goals or health promotion. Please consider this as a Freedom of Information request, requiring explanation of what steps you intend to take and why. As indicated above, Kent Green Party does not accept that money cannot be made available for these high priority matters through a more efficient and timely taxation system. I look forward to your reply. Yours sincerely, Steve Dawe - PRESS OFFICER, Kent Green Party”