Train and bus fare rises greet returning workers

Rail fares are going up by six per cent on average and some season tickets are up 10 per cent or more.

Leeds-Wakefield rail commuters will be paying eight per cent more for 12-month tickets this January than they were a year ago – £908 instead of £840.

Two big bus operators in Yorkshire, First and Arriva, will also put up fares today. Arriva is putting 10p on fares under £2 and 20p on higher fares in both West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. First is increasing fares by an average of five per cent and the cost of most single tickets is going up by 10p. A Sheffield day ticket will cost £4.60 instead of £4.30 and a weekly pass for the city £18.50 instead of £17.50.

The bus operators blame fuel costs and the train operators blame the Government, which is withdrawing subsidies at the same time as putting on pressure for investment in improvements.

The chief executive of rail watchdog Passenger Focus, Anthony Smith, said yesterday: “Whatever the weather, these rises will make for a frosty return to work.

“The spotlight will really be on train operating companies and Network Rail to deliver their promises about overcrowding and performance. Passengers are paying their fair share and they want and deserve better.

“The policy of moving costs from taxpayer onto fare payer will go totally sour if the whole industry and Government does not wring better value for money out of its spending.”

The rises might have been higher. Ministers had been persuaded by the train companies to allow inflation plus three per cent, which would have meant eight per cent on average. The Chancellor over-ruled that formula – but only for 2012.