Passengers pay price as rail fares race ahead of wages

RAIL fares have increased at twice the speed of wages since 2010, according to new research.

The RMT union says ticket prices have gone up 32% while weekly salaries have risen on average 16% over the same eight-year period.

It released its analysis as the Government prepares to announce the latest increase on regulated fares which come into force next year.

The rise is expected to be capped at 3.5%, based on the RPI rate of inflation for July.

Rail workers will be protesting at stations nationwide on the day of the announcement, including at Newcastle Central Station.

They will tell passengers they are paying “more for less” because, the RMT says, even as fares rise, rail engineering work is being delayed or cancelled, skilled railway jobs are being lost and staff are being cut on trains, stations and ticket offices.

RMT general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “Government policy of suppressing workers’ wages while at the same time presiding over corporate welfare on our privatised railway has resulted in a toxic combination of fare rises easily outstripping wages.”

However the Government defended its record.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We are investing in the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century to improve services for passengers – providing faster and better trains with more seats.

“On average, 97% of every £1 of a passenger’s fare goes back into the railway.”