Train fares to rise after election

TRAIN companies plan to introduce a series of ‘stealth’ fare rises just days after the General Election, it emerged last night.

On one route, passengers will be forced to pay an 87 per cent increase on their current fare.

The rises from May 17 are seen to be in response to pledges from David Cameron that if the Tories wins the election he will freeze rail fares in real terms for the whole of the next parliament.

Labour has also pledged to introduce a ‘cap’ on fare rises, though they concern only fares regulated by the Government, such as season and commuter tickets for major cities.

Last night commuter Josh Lennon said: ‘Bringing in stealth rises just before these forthcoming fare freezes are acted upon is just opportunist.’

Train firms have three opportunities a year – in January, May and September – to increase ‘unregulated’ fares, which are set by the rail industry and provide about half of all fare revenue.