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| Train passengers face fare rise | Train passengers face fare rise |
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| Passengers face above-inflation price hikes for rail tickets from January, train companies have announced. | Passengers face above-inflation price hikes for rail tickets from January, train companies have announced. |
| 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 can decide themselves, will be increased by as much as 6.6% - more than 3% above inflation. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Virgin Train passengers face a rise in unregulated fares of 6.6% | 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. | 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. | 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: | The unregulated fare increases for each rail company are: |
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| 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%. | 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. | 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' | '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. | 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 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. | "If passengers want flexibility or have no choice about when to travel they now face off-putting prices. |
| 'Improvements' | '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." | 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." |
| Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling said: "This is very unwelcome news for passengers and will only underline the fact that things are really not right on our railways." | |
| 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." |