CAMPAIGNERS who took part in a placard waving protest outside Kidderminster Train Station against rising rail fare costs have said they are pleased with the support they received.

Members of Wyre Forest Green Party were amongst those who joined a nationally organised demonstration against the latest fare price hike to demand an affordable railway under public ownership.

Leaflets were distributed and people urged to write to their MPs during the protest, organised by Action for Rail.

Vicky Lea, the party's County Council candidate for St John’s division, Kidderminster, said: "It’s great to see our members supporting this important campaign, but sad to see they have to do this year after year.

“Fares continue to increase – this time by 2.3 per cent - and yet the service gets worse and worse. At a time when the average wage struggles to keep up with the cost of living, we are paying more for our travel and getting much less.

“UK passengers pay six times more for their tickets than many of their European counterparts, and yet the dividends paid to rail company shareholders in 2014/15 was a staggering £222m. This simply isn’t right.

“I think most people believe that our railways should be providing us with a quality, affordable service we can be proud of.

“That’s why the Green Party thinks it’s time to take our railways back into public hands. It is our view that a decent, low cost public transport network is vital if we are to build a fairer, greener society.

"Overall, the demonstration was very well received by rail users, most of whom agreed with our message of ‘passengers before profit’.”

In response to criticism of the increases, the Rail Delivery Group – who represent train operators - said 97p in every pound spent by customers goes back into improving services.

Chief executive Paul Plummer said: “Nobody wants to pay more to travel to work and at the moment in some places people aren’t getting the service they are paying for.

“However, increases to season tickets are set by government. Money from fares is helping to sustain investment in the longer, newer trains and more punctual journeys that passengers want.”