Former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna slams train group service as a “complete and utter rip off”
Former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna got to his feet in the House of Commons last night to lament the cost of travelling on Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), branding the service a "rip off".
Speaking the MPs, Umunna said that the cost of travelling on the train to and from "my constituency on Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express services through London and the south-east, is a complete and utter rip off".
The former frontbench Labour MP explained that the cost was a rip off given the "dreadful service" commuters have received over the last few months. "I stand not to make party political points; I and commuters just want answers," he said.
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Umunna drew attention to research from Transport Focus which ranked GTR worst in its latest passenger satisfaction survey, as well as research from Which? that puts it third from bottom out of 21 services.
"Once we get decent services, perhaps ministers can argue that almost £1,000 for a season ticket from my constituency to London Victoria is justified," he added.