Rail passengers to be hit by inflation-busting fare hikes
RAIL passengers will be hit by above inflation fare rises for the first time in eight years, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.
Ticket prices will increase by an average of 2.6% from March 1 next year, which is July’s Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation plus one percentage point.
Successive governments have linked fare rises to RPI since January 2014, but the DfT said this policy has been axed due to the “unprecedented taxpayer support” handed to the rail industry over the past 12 months. Meanwhile, the department has written to all train operators to begin immediate work on developing flexible season tickets, allowing people who travel two or three days a week to save money compared with buying daily tickets.
Firms have been told these must be introduced across England by the end of next year.
The 2.6% figure announced by the department relates to regulated fares, which make up around half of fares and include season tickets on most commuter routes.
But operators are expected to match their rises in unregulated fares such as Advance tickets because the Government has taken on their financial liabilities.
An average increase of 2.6% across all fares will be the lowest since 2017.
IT’S probably the most famous bobble hat in the country and it’s about to go up for auction again.
Actor Bill Owen was rarely seen without it when he played Compo in the Yorkshire-based BBC comedy series Last of the Summer Wine which ran for 27 years and put Holmfirth on the map.
It was bought at a fundraising event years ago by a family friend of Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, who kindly gave it to Barry’s youngest daughter Verity who was obsessed with the show.
She thought she had lost it but clearing her attic out recently in her London home found it still in pristine condition and with his note attached authenticating it.
Barry said: “I used to know the Summer Wine crew very well years ago and I can recall introducing them to former prime minister Harold Wilson when he opened the Huddersfield Hotel owned by the Marsden brothers.
“Later on I became very good friends with Bill - he opened the Labour Party offices in Cross Church Street.
“He was very reliable and would often make donations for charity auctions. We had a big one and he offered one of his famous bobble hats.
“Verity was very young at the time and loved the programme and a friend of ours bought it and gave it to her.
“Anyone who is interested in bidding for it should contact my office.
“The proceeds will go to a very worthwhile Huddersfield charity, Platform 1, which offers help and support for people with mental health and loneliness difficulties.”
Barry’s office number is: 01484 487972.