How rail fare increases could hit your pocket
RAIL fares in Halton could go up next year after the industry announced that ticket prices will rise by an average of 2.3%.
The figure is an average over all rail tickets and will take effect from Monday, January 2.
The Weekly News calculated potential increased fares on common routes in and out of the borough for return tickets bought on the day of travel at off peak times based on the average rise.
A ticket from Runcorn to London Euston could rise by £1.90 from the current £82.40, while a return trip to Liverpool Lime Street may rise by 15p to £6.85.
Return fares from Widnes to all stations in Liverpool could go up by 14p from £5.90, while tickets to nearby Warrington Central may rise by 10p to £4.60.
Journeys from Runcorn East to Manchester Piccadilly may potentially rise by 27p for a return ticket from £11.90, while trips to the city from Widnes could go up by 23p from the present cost of £9.90. ●
Return tickets from Runcorn East to Warrington Bank Quay may rise by 8p from £3.60.
Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, said: “We understand how pas- sengers feel when fares go up, and we know that in some places they haven’t always got the service they pay for.
“Around 97p in every pound passengers pay goes back into running and improving services.
“Fares are influenced by Government policy, either through Government-regulated fares such as season tickets or as a result of payments train companies make to Government.
“This money helps government to support the biggest investment in our railway since Victorian times.”
Campaigners have claimed that people are being ‘priced off the railways’ with the increase.
Lianna Etkind from the Campaign For Better Transport said: “The train operating companies and the Government need to work closely together to provide fairer, simpler and cheaper fares making sure people are always sold the cheapest ticket available.
“Between 1995 and 2016 passengers have seen average fares increase by 23.5% and much more needs to be done by train operators and the Government to give them a truly affordable railway.
“It is also time the Government stopped dragging its feet and introduce flexible season tickets with fair discounts for the UK’s eight million parttime workers as promised.
“It is not right that parttime workers have to buy expensive one-off tickets, or season tickets which they then waste on the days they don’t work.” ●