TRAIN OPERATING COMPANY AND PARKING CHARGES

That this House notes the policy of train operating companies (TOCs) to make extortionate increases in car parking charges, including in NCP operated car parks; for instance, parking at Leigh-on-Sea station over the last three years was increased by 25 per cent. to £700 for an annual season ticket; believes TOCs are abusing their monopoly position on parking at rail stations and thereby both profiteering and discouraging commuters from travelling by train; calls on TOCs to explain the basis of the latest increases and to stop abusing their monopoly position, particularly at this time of economic difficulty; and calls on the Government to investigate the increases.