Rail Price Rises Defended

Commuters are facing a New Year price increase that will see rail fares rise by an average of nearly 5%.

However, some commuters in the South East are being forced to pay 14.5% more for some unregulated fares – well above the rate of inflation, triggering an immediate outcry from unions and passenger groups who accused rail firms of daylight robbery and holding commuters “to ransom”.

The Government was also criticised for failing to prevent the increases.

Unregulated fares will rise by an average of seven percent on CrossCountry and East Midlands Trains routes, 6.1% on First Great Western and 4.3% on South West Trains.

Atoc (the Association of Train Operating Companies) said in a statement: “The small increase in average rail fares partly reflects the fact that over half of tickets sold are price-regulated by the Government, but also because many passengers now choose to use discounted fares such as advance purchase tickets, which offer significant reductions compared to full-price tickets.

“The relatively low increase in average rail fares has been a factor in the enormous growth in rail travel seen over the past 10 years, with 42 per cent more passengers using the rail network. Passenger numbers are now higher than at any time since 1946."

Now prices had to rise to pay for investment in rail infrastructure, Atoc continued. “More than £800 million is now being spent on new and refurbished trains on CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, First Great Western, First ScotRail, First TransPennine Express, GNER (shortly to become National Express East Coast), London Midland, Northern Rail, one Railway and South West Trains.

“Further investment is being committed to improve stations, including refurbished ticket offices, better waiting rooms, toilets and facilities for disabled people. It also provides for new ticket machines, information systems, closed circuit television and an increased number of car parking spaces.”

George Muir, Director General of Atoc, said: “We need the revenue from fares to pay for investment in the railway for the benefit of passengers."

(BMcC)