THE Shadow Transport Secretary said Labour will renationalise the railway network and end the complexity of ticketing if they form the next Government.

Andy McDonald MP made the statement at a community meeting at Burley Library on Saturday. He listened to concerns on how commuters are treated on the local rail network, saying it was unacceptable that young people were harassed when trying to pay fares and that facilities for disabled passengers were so poor in the two Wharfedale rail stations. He said that Labour would introduce free bus travel for under 25s, a proposal that was fully costed.

The meeting, also attended by Jo Pike, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Shipley, heard of problems with the lack of working ticket machines and inconsistencies with older person bus passes across the country.

Wharfedale Labour Candidate Chris Hayden said: “It was interesting to hear first-hand so many of the different experiences the residents of Wharfedale have had using public transport. We need to take urgent action now to make our local networks more accessible for all and to create a better experience of using trains and buses. People should not be feeling that it can be a battle simply to get to their destination.”