Labour’s summer campaign is running throughout August and September, with a different theme each week, detailing our policy programme for a fairer and more equal Britain. During this campaign the Labour Policy Forum wants to hear your ideas on the challenges we face and to help build on our progressive policies for the many, not the few.
This week is transport week. Transport is an essential part of everyday life and Labour strongly supports the devolution of powers and funding to local transport authorities, so that local communities can determine their own priorities.
Priorities like local bus routes which are projected to fall by nearly 5,000 by 2022, while fares have already risen by 27 per cent on average since 2010.
Labour would give communities London-style powers to reform bus services to keep fares down and improve services
On our railways overcrowding is at the highest level since records began, the top 10 most overcrowded peak train routes are on average 190 per cent in excess of capacity. Despite overcrowding, rail fares have risen by 27 per cent since 2010, three times faster than wage growth and leaving Brits paying some of the highest fares in Europe.
Labour would put passengers first by taking rail franchises into public ownership as they expire and cap fares at the Consumer Price Index to prevent inflation-busting fare rises.
Across the country, it is projected to cost over £10 billion and take local authorities an average 12 years to clear the current road repair backlog. Infrastructure projects like rail electrification around the country have been scrapped, and less than one in five railway stations are fully accessible.
Labour will stand up for passengers and road users by reforming our transport networks and invest in transport infrastructure and deliver major projects to boost economic growth and rebalance the economy, including building Crossrail for the North, Crossrail 2 and upgrading and expanding the rail network across the country
What do you think?
We want you to get involved and help build on our manifesto pledges. By posting on our website you can give your ideas around key challenges in transport, submit a new policy idea or highlight an aspect of transport that you think should be addressed.
Find out how to make a submission here: https://www.policyforum.labour.org.uk/about/get-involved
Find out more on Labour’s education policy here: http://www.labour.org.uk/index.php/manifesto2017/leading-richer-lives
