Q&A ON THE CHANGES

When do the rises start?

From January 2.

Why do fares go up?

Successive governments have chosen to reduce the funding of the railways by taxpayers and increase the relative contribution of passengers.

Are all fares treated the same?

The increase in around 40 per cent of fares is regulated by the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments. Other fares are set by train operators.

Which fares are regulated?

These include season tickets on most commuter routes, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance journeys and flexible tickets for use in major cities.

How much will regulated fares increase by?

These are capped at July’s RPI figure, which was 3.2 per cent. In Scotland, regulated off-peak fare increases are capped at RPI minus one per cent.

What impact have fare rises had on demand?

Passenger numbers have more than doubled since the network was privatised in the mid-1990s.

Where does the money go?

The Rail Delivery Group says profit margins for rail firms are around two per cent, with the rest going on running the railway.

What improvements are being made?

The Department for Transport says it is investing in the biggest modernisation of the network since Victorian times, with major projects to provide faster and better trains with more seats.

Is there any way of avoiding the fare rise?

Many commuters will renew season tickets in the days before the annual rise starts. People can also save money by getting a railcard, travelling off-peak and booking in advance.