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Harrogate MP calls for bus and rail fares to be slashed

Thursday, 2 April 2026 15:13

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon.

Local MP Tom Gordon is calling for bus fares and rail fares to be slashed, as part of an emergency transport package "to keep Britain moving".

Tom has called on the Chancellor to bring forward an emergency package of support to help families, pensioners and businesses in North Yorkshire with the costs of USA's war with Iran.

The Liberal Democrats have set out a bold new transport plan to “keep Harrogate and Knaresborough moving and tackle the cost-of-living crisis”.

The plan includes:

Slashing bus fares to £1, from the current £3 cap.
Cutting rail fares by 10%.
Making it cheaper to drive electric vehicles, by cutting VAT on public charging and reviewing the unfair network costs that push up charging prices.
Cutting fuel duty by 10p, bringing down prices at the pump by 12p per litre.

The MP is pressing the government to introduce this package for three months at first, but say it should be kept under review and could be extended if the crisis drags on for longer and fuel prices stay high in North Yorkshire.

Tom said:

“I’ve spoken to so many families, pensioners and businesses across North Yorkshire who are worried sick about the skyrocketing costs of getting around, caused by Donald Trump’s idiotic war with Iran and cheered on by Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage.

“We desperately need an emergency transport package to keep Harrogate and Knaresborough moving, including bus and train fares slashed and electric vehicle charging costs cut, to help everyone in the area save money, no matter how they travel.

“Two Australian states have made public transport free, in response to the situation in Iran and the ensuing fuel crisis - this is something the UK government should urgently consider too."

He added:

“The Liberal Democrats want an immediate cut in fuel duty to bring down prices at the pump by 12p per litre to help rural residents who rely on their cars.

“We can’t afford for the Chancellor to stand back, watch our brilliant community here in North Yorkshire struggle and let Britain’s economy grind to a halt.”

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