City commuters face paying an extra £71 in parking charges at key Essex stations
City workers will face increased charges for leaving their cars at stations in Essex, in a second blow to commuters after fares were put up earlier this year.
Operator c2c said it was increasing charges by 40p for daily tickets, with annual passes rising by up to £71.
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The company said it has been pushed into upping its prices as the money it owes to the government each week has increased over the last half-decade.
A spokesperson said prices were going up as c2c’s car parks are less expensive than others in the areas.
“We believe c2c’s car park prices offer good value compared with local alternatives and the price of parking at other stations within Essex,” the company said.
“The money from car park charges is funding our payments back to the government, which we have increased to record levels and are now over £1m more every week compared with five years ago.”
Commuters leaving their cars at Purfleet, Dagenham Dock and Rainham will now pay £5.80 for a daily pass, while the price of an annual ticket increases £58 to £891.
Meanwhile, prices in Shoeburyness, Westcliff, Leigh-on-Sea and Stanford-le-Hope will be pressed up to £6.30 while annual tickets rise £61 to £981. Pitsea and Ockendon will rise to £6.40, with annual passes at £997, a £61 increase.
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Those in Laindon and West Horndon will pay £63 more a year to £1,090, while daily tickets rise to £7.20. Thorpe Bay, Grays and Chafford Hundred commuters face daily charges of £7.10, while annual passes will cost £1,075, a £63 increase. Upminster parking now costs £8.90 per day, or £1,336 per year, a £71 rise.
The rises will add to commuters' woes after rail fares went up by 3.1 per cent at the start of the year, adding over £100 to many season tickets.