Fares to London more than opposite direction

A transport campaigns group has criticised railway companies for charging Kent commuters more for return fares than people travelling from London.

Day return tickets on Southeastern and Southern services, both run by under-fire operator Govia, are much more expensive for those travelling from Kent if the time of arrival in the capital is between 7am-9am.

Ashford International is among stations where the discrepancy is huge. High-speed customers on the 60-mile journey can expect to pay £60.40 compared with £37.80 the other way.

A return ticket for the 40-mile Maidstone to London commute in this time period costs £36.70. Going the other way, at the same time, is just £23.70, a difference of £13.

Another example of the ticketing systems’ incoherence are single tickets – they remain at the same price for both Kent and London customers.

James MacColl, head of campaigns at the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Passengers often find it difficult to know that they’re getting the best deal as differences between ticket prices are confusing.

“We need the whole process to be made simpler, fairer and cheaper.”

In a statement, Southeastern said: “While regulated fares such as peaktime tickets and season tickets are set by the Department for Transport, rail fares are based on demand; the demand for services in to London is greater, and so is reflected in fares which are proportionately higher.

“Train operating companies have more control over the setting of offpeak, or unregulated fares and we have a number of discounts and offers available to passengers.”

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk