Rail Fare Increases Come Into Force

An annual rail fare price rise, announced in August, comes into effect today, with season ticket holders paying an average of 4.2% more.

While price rises vary between operators, overall ticket prices have gone up by 3.9% in England, Wales and Scotland.

Average train fares have risen nearly three times faster than average incomes since 2008, the TUC has claimed, however transport minister Norman Baker said the government had intervened to ensure fare rises were capped at about 4%.

"Regulated" rail fare increases - which include season tickets for most commuter journeys and off-Peak fares on most intercity routes - are calculated using the Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation plus an additional percentage.

In August the rail fare increase was set at RPI plus 3% – a total of 6.2% – but this was reduced to RPI plus 1% by the government in October to a total of about 4.2%.

The TUC's Action for Rail campaign said rail passengers will be paying more for a lesser service, as rail operators begin to implement job cuts as part of plans to save £3.5bn across the rail industry by 2019 begin.

Frances O'Grady, who is general secretary of the TUC and chairs Action for Rail, said: "At a time when real wages are falling and household budgets are being squeezed, rail travellers are being forced to endure yet another year of inflation-busting fare increases.

"As well as having to shell out record amounts of money for their tickets, passengers also face the prospect of travelling on trains with fewer staff and having less access to ticket offices. They are being asked to pay much more for less."

(H/GK)