Rail season tickets set to rise

The Office of National Statistics reported RPI inflation was one per cent in July which is the figure used to set rail regulated fares.

The Government has promised regulated rail fares will only be allowed to rise to match increases in the cost of living over the next five years.

Rail Minister Claire Perry said: “As part of our long-term economic plan, we are investing record amounts in transforming the UK’s rail network in order to provide better journeys for everyone, and fares have an important role to play in delivering this investment.

Top tips for saving on rail fares

“But I know that many families are concerned about the cost of rail travel, which is why we are putting an end to above inflation fare increases. This will make a real difference to household budgets, saving season ticket holders around £425 each over the next five years.

“It also means that for first time since 2002 wages are increasing by more than fares, which is real progress for the passenger.”

The Government has also removed the so-called “flex” from rail fares which allowed train companies to increase some regulated ticket prices as long as fares collectively stayed within the limit set by government.

However, Labour pointed out that the limit on fare rises comes after years of above inflation increase.

Rail fare hikes ‘leave wages behind’

Shadow Transport Secretary Michael Dugher, the Barnsley East MP, said: “It is clear that passengers are being ripped off – forced to pay ever higher prices to travel on trains that are increasingly overcrowded and unreliable.

“This announcement confirms that from January the cost of rail travel will have risen by a quarter under the Conservatives. Some hard pressed commuters will even have faced fare hikes of over a third since 2010.

“Out of touch Ministers talk about “fair fares for comfortable commuting”, but the link between higher fares and investment in the rail network has been broken and commuters are not seeing the improvements they were promised.

“Rather than just re-announcing yet again a pilot compensation scheme, the Government should get on with delivering smart and simplified ticketing across the network, give passengers a real voice in how the railways are run and implement a proper compensation system that is not tied to the Conservative’s flawed franchising process so that it can be delivered quickly for all passengers.”

David Sidebottom, passenger director at transport watchdog Transport Focus, said: “Fares are set to increase again, but passengers will be relieved to see that fare rises in England are being capped at inflation. They will be pleased to see that there is no flexibility for individual fares to go up by more than this. Both of these are things we have pushed for.

“While fares are going up, for many people punctuality is going down.”