Passengers to be hit by largest rail fares rise

Train passengers will be hit with the largest fares rise in nearly a decade.

The Department for Transport has announced that ticket prices will rise by 3.8% from March 1 – in line with July's Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation.

The increases will be the steepest increase since January 2013, according to figures from industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).

Fare rises are based on the previous July's RPI plus one per cent.

Increases are normally implemented on the first working day of every year, but have been delayed until March since 2020 due to the pandemic.

Rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: "Capping rail fares in line with inflation while tying it to the July RPI strikes a fair balance, ensuring we can continue to invest record amounts into a more modern, reliable railway, ease the burden on taxpayers and protect passengers from the highest RPI in years.

"Delaying the changes until March 2022 offers people the chance to save money by renewing their fares at last year's price.”

Andy Bagnall, RDG director general, said: "The Government's decision to hold fares down in line with July's inflation is welcome compared to last year's above-inflation increase.

"It is important that fares are set at a level that will encourage more people to travel by train.

"Therailwaysmustnottake more than its fair share from the taxpayer, which is why the rail industry is working to create a financially sustainable and more passenger-focused service that will both keep costs down and attract people back to the train."