A GROUP of Wirral teenagers are spearheading a campaign against increasing rail fares across Merseyside.

Meols student Sophie Brown hopes to change what she and her friends describe as “extortionate prices” being charged to young people by Merseyrail.

The 16-year-old, who attends West Kirby Grammar sixth form, told the Globe: “As regular users of the Merseyrail network when travelling to and from school, we feel that the current price of train fares is far too high.”

The rail provider upped their prices earlier this month, with the average rise increase across all daily tickets 5p, going up to around 20p on peak fares.

Sophie said: “Merseyrail expect all children over the age of 15 to pay a full adult fare, which is 50% more than the current child fare.

“There is a legal requirement at this age to stay in full time education yet we do not enjoy any adult privileges – we can’t vote, work full-time or drive – which is ultimately why we believe this increase in price is unjust and discriminatory towards young people.”

Fellow student Max Jones has set up an online petition against the fare increases, with more than 330 having already signed it.

A spokesman for Merseyrail said that while fares have increased, tickets on the Merseyside-based rail network are “still among the cheapest in the UK”.

The students’ anger has been increased further after the news that schoolchildren and those travelling to hospital will be hit by a bus fare rise from Monday.

The increase affects routes subsidised by Merseytravel because private companies cannot make a profit from them.

Single fares for children aged five to 15 will rise 40% from 50p to 70p while adults will see their fare increase to £1.50.

Sophie added: “With the ever increasing unjust public transport prices on Merseyside, it raises the question – how can these increasing fares be justified with the decreasing price of fuel?

“Essentially I believe fares are not fair.”

Oxton Liberal Democrat Cllr Stuart Kelly also hit out at the fare increase and called on Merseytravel to review its decision.

He said: “The main impact of this decision will be the increase in fares for school children travelling on dedicated school buses by a staggering 40%.

“Adult fares will be going up by up to 15% which is bad enough but the rise in costs for children using buses to get to school is simply unacceptable.

“There is no justification for increasing children’s fares by 40%. They should be making it easier for young people to access public transport to get to school.

“The recent falls in fuel prices also call into question why these increases are necessary surely the cost of providing the school bus service is falling as the cost of petrol falls.”

But councillor Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel, said that even with the increases, the prices “still offer good value” when compared with cash fares on commercial services.

He said:  “Without our support many services, including dedicated school services, wouldn’t run as they aren’t commercially viable.

“Like all public bodies we are under significant budget pressures and have to take difficult decisions, examining how we can make savings and generate income, ensuring we are focusing our limited resources where there is most need. Looking at the fares we charge is one aspect of this.

 “We are looking across the board at how we can make transport more affordable and young people are a key focus for our work.

“We’ve had significant take up of our new £2 all-day bus ticket, MyTicket, for those 15 and under and, as part of a wider ticketing review, we are seeing what more we can do for older teenagers and those still in education and training.

 “We’re also continuing to work with bus operators, encouraging them to look at their cash fares and how they can bring them down to a more affordable level.”

  • To sign the petition, click here