Campaign group hits out at rise in railway tickets

Passengers who use rail services in Kent faced a 3.6% fare rise from this week.

Southeastern has brought in the change meaning the cost of a season tickets, anytime, off peak and super off peak day tickets will all rise in cost.

The firm’s website says its staff realise no one wants prices to rise, but the extra money is needed for upgrades on the network.

The statement said: “We understand no one likes to see prices go up but we continue to invest in a better experience for our customers, including station improvements, customer facing staff and enhancements to train services.

“Revenue from ticket sales is vital to help pay for these improvements.”

It adds: “Nearly 97p of every pound from train fares goes back into the rail industry for running and improving the network.”

Earlier this year we reported on the announcement of the annual increase.

But Lianna Etkind from the Campaign for Better Transport said: “Passengers in the south east already say they get the worst value for money anywhere in the country.

“And from today fares are going up by 3.6%, which is the highest rise in five years.

“This is at a time when a lot of people are struggling with stagnant wages.

“I think it’s wrong that the government has decided to raise fares again and this is at a time when motorists have been given a freeze in fuel duty every year for the last eight years.

“For some people it will price them out of the railway.

“The number of season ticket journeys is falling and it’s out of reach for many people.”

The campaign also suggests the highest fare in the county is a season ticket bought for passengers leaving from Ashford International.

The cost is now £5,379, up by £187 in 2017, according to the Campaign for Better Transport.

‘This is at a time when a lot of people are struggling with stagnant wages’

Rail passengers will now have to pay an extra 3.6% for their tickets