I SEE that our two newly elected MPs are prolific in their appearances both in the local press and in the Commons, but I have to question the assertion by Conor McGinn (Star, June 23) regarding rail travel from Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows to Manchester that commuters are being ripped off.

While he states that the price of a current season ticket from Earlestown is £1628, this allows travel for 365 days a year. Even if we take out weekends and 20 days for holidays, the cost is around £6.75 a day.

Compare this with a return car journey using two gallons of petrol – around £10.80, and on top of that you have car parking charges and the cost of buying, maintaining and insuring the car.

I will give you some sound advice, Conor.

If MPs wish to let off steam in the local press and the Commons, perhaps they should apologise for the financial mess that their party left through the PFI contracts negotiated on Labour's watch.

The latest debacle is the PFI contract signed in 2008 for £6.8 billion over 25 years with a private consortium called Ascent – yes, Labour privatised the training of RAF pilots!

Mike Perry, Prescot Road