Train fares to rise by 5.9 per cent

TRAIN fares will rise by an average of 5.9 per cent in January, the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said today.

The increase is higher than the Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation, which was 5.2 per cent in November.

Michael Roberts, chief executive of Atoc, said: “Money raised through fares helps pay for new trains, faster services and better stations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The long-standing Government approach to sustaining rail investment is to cut the contribution from taxpayers and increase the share paid for by passengers.

“The industry is working together to continue cutting costs as a way to help limit future fare rises and offer better value for money for taxpayers over the longer term.”

In September the then transport secretary Philip Hammond said rail fares were so expensive the system had become a “rich man’s toy”.

Related topics: