‘Chill wind’ as rail passengers face biggest fares increase for five years

Scotrail passengers face an average fares hike of 3.2 per cent next month – the highest for five years.

However, it is lower than the 3.4 per cent average across Britain, with cross-border operators increasing average prices by up to 4.6 per cent.

The lower Scotrail rise is because its increase in off-peak fares is pegged by ministers at 1 per cent lower than for England-based train operators.

Scotrail passengers travelling during rush hours, such as on Anytime and season tickets, will see fares go up by 3.6 per cent. Off-peak tickets will increase by 2.6 per cent.

Transpennine Express, whose routes include Edinburgh and Glasgow to Manchester, has announced the biggest average increase, of 4.6 per cent.

It said that followed a twoyear price freeze “on some of our most popular advance products [fares]”.

Fellow cross-border operator Crosscountry’s fares will rise by an average of 4.1 per cent. Virgin Trains East Coast’s will go up by an average of 3.4 per cent, and those on Virgin Trains West Coast by 3.3 per cent.

Passenger watchdog Transport Focus compared the rises to “a chill wind” blowing down platforms since many passengers’ incomes were stagnating or falling.

Chief executive Anthony Smith said: “While substantial, welcome investment in new trains and improved track and signals is continuing, passengers are still seeing the basic [punctuality] promises made by the rail industry broken on too many days.”

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Neil Bibby, said: “Passengers will be infuriated to see the largest increase in rail fares in five years.

“Commuters in Scotland already pay some of the highest fares of any passengers in Western Europe yet the service they receive is simply not good enough to justify such staggering fare hikes.”

Highlands and Islands Green MSP John Finnie said: “Rail passengers, particularly commuters, in Scotland have had a torrid time as of late.

“Delayed, cancelled and overcrowded trains are what springs to mind when many commuters think of their rail journey, so to ask them to pay a significantly increased fare for a poor service is wrong.”

A Scotrail spokesman said: “Fares are regulated by the Scottish Government – 85 per cent of our revenue comes from fares regulated by the Scottish Government.

“We are investing millions of pounds to build the best railway Scotland has ever had, and that’s why we remain the best-performing large operator in the UK.

“Our brand new electric trains are due to start running next year, and our high-speed trains will connect Scotland’s seven cities.

“The work we are doing will mean faster journeys, more seats and better services for our customers.”

The Rail Delivery Group, which announced the rises, said more than 97p in every pound from fares was used to run and improve the railway.

Chief executive Paul Plummer said: “Alongside investment from the public and privatesectors,moneyfromfares is underpinning the partnership railway’s long-term plan to change and improve.”