Latest rail fare increases ‘a kick

THE cost of many rail season tickets will increase by more than £100 next year as average fares go up 3.1 per cent.

Passengers responded by saying fares had become “ridiculous”, particularly after train punctuality fell to a 12-year low in the summer.

The rail industry insisted money from fares was “underpinning the improvements to the railway that passengers want”.

Of the operators that run services in the West, two – Great Western Railway and South Western Railways – said average fares would be 2.9 per cent higher, while CrossCountry will be increasing its fares by an average of 3.2 per cent.

Nationally, examples of increases in annual season tickets from Janu- ary 2 include £148 for Brighton to London (from £4,696 to £4,844), £130 for Gloucester to Birmingham (from £4,108 to £4,238), and £100 for Manchester to Liverpool (from £3,152 to £3,252).

The annual cost from Prime Minister Theresa May’s constituency of Maidenhead to London will increase by £96 (from £3,092 to £3,188).

The average rise will be the second highest since January 2013, accord- ing to industry body the Rail Delivery Group.

It said data from the Office of Rail and Road suggesting the 2019 increase of 3.1 per cent was the largest in that period was not comparable because a different methodology had been used.

There have been calls for prices to be frozen following the chaos caused by the implementation of new timetables in May.

Fewer than half (45 per cent) of passengers are satisfied with the value for money of train tickets, according to a survey by watchdog Transport Focus.

Its chief executive, Anthony Smith, said passengers wanted a reliable service offering better value, adding: “They shouldn’t have to wait any longer for that.

“Some passengers will have mem- Dilley said trains were “incredibly expensive” and fares were “becoming ridiculous”.

She went on: “I don’t think it’s value for money. I think quite regularly, when you have to stand for a long journey, why should you have to pay a fare?”

RDG chief executive, Paul Plummer, said: “Money from fares is underpinning the improvements to the railway that passengers want and which ultimately help boost the wider economy.

“That means more seats, extra services and better connections right across the country.”

The increase in around 40 per cent of fares, including season tickets, is regulated by the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments.

This is predominantly capped at July’s RPI inflation figure, which was 3.2 per cent.