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Train passengers face fare rise Train passengers face fare rise
(about 3 hours later)
Passengers face above-inflation price hikes for rail tickets, train companies have announced. Passengers face above-inflation price hikes for rail tickets from January, train companies have announced.
Fares regulated by the government will be raised by most train companies by 4.3% next year - 1% above inflation. Unregulated fares, which train companies can decide themselves, will be increased by as much as 6.6% - more than 3% above inflation.
Unregulated fares, which train companies are free to decide themselves, will be increased by between 3.2% and 6.6%.
The Association of Train Operating Companies said the money was needed to pay for ongoing service improvements.The Association of Train Operating Companies said the money was needed to pay for ongoing service improvements.
Passenger groups have criticised the price increases and said rail users are already paying high fares.
Regulated fares, which include season tickets and saver tickets, are determined by the Department for Transport and account for 40% of tickets sold.Regulated fares, which include season tickets and saver tickets, are determined by the Department for Transport and account for 40% of tickets sold.
Enhanced experience Merseyrail is to increase its regulated fares by 3.2%, while the Southeastern trains service between Kent and London will go up by 6.3% under the terms of its new franchise.
A handful train companies are to increase fares by less than 4.3%, while the Southeastern trains service between Kent and London will go up by 6.3% under the terms of its new franchise. Virgin Train passengers face a rise in unregulated fares of 6.6%
Island Line prices will go up by 5.3% while there will be no increase for Hull Trains and Heathrow Express passengers.
All other train companies will raise fares by 4.3% when the new prices are introduced.
Unregulated fares, which include cheap day returns and account for 60% of tickets sold, will go up by varying amounts depending on train operator with an average rise of 4.7%.Unregulated fares, which include cheap day returns and account for 60% of tickets sold, will go up by varying amounts depending on train operator with an average rise of 4.7%.
The unregulated fare increases for each rail company are:
  • Virgin West Coast Main Line - 6.6%
  • Virgin CrossCountry - 4.3%
  • South West Trains - 5.3%
  • GNER - 5.5%
  • Central Trains - 5.7%
  • Arriva Trains Wales - 5.5%
  • First ScotRail - 4.3%
  • Merseyrail - 3.2%
  • C2C - 4.3%
  • Chiltern Railways - 4.5%
  • First Capital Connect - 3.5%
  • First Great Western - 4.8%
  • First TransPennine Express - 4.6%
  • Hull Trains - 3.5%
  • Island Line - no increase
  • Midland Mainline - 5.9%
  • Northern Rail - 4.3%
  • One - 5%
  • Silverlink - 4.3%
  • Southeastern - 4.3%
  • Southern - 4.3%
There are also big increases planned for the two dedicated airport services, the Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express, which will both see rises of 7.3%.
Passenger Focus, the independent rail consumer watchdog, said the new fares would hit those who were unable to book tickets in advance.
'Off-putting prices'
Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said: "Inflation-busting price hikes on top of already high fares will make for an unhappy passenger New Year.
"If you now want to travel longer-distance in the peak and don't know exactly when you are coming back you will pay very, very dearly.
"If passengers want flexibility or have no choice about when to travel they now face off-putting prices.
'Improvements'
Brian Cooke, chairman of passenger group London Travel Watch, said: "While we accept fares have to rise sometimes, any price rise above inflation is regrettable and will seem a lot to passengers in and around London who are increasingly faced with crowded platforms and trains."
Atoc director general George Muir said: "While no-one likes to pay more for their travel, we need the revenue to pay for the ongoing improvements to the railways that passengers expect - and overall satisfaction levels are now at an all time high of 80%.Atoc director general George Muir said: "While no-one likes to pay more for their travel, we need the revenue to pay for the ongoing improvements to the railways that passengers expect - and overall satisfaction levels are now at an all time high of 80%.
"Train operators will continue to raise their game, delivering further improvements to the railway and enhancing the travel experience of passengers.""Train operators will continue to raise their game, delivering further improvements to the railway and enhancing the travel experience of passengers."