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Rail fares rise by 3.1% in England and Wales | Rail fares rise by 3.1% in England and Wales |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Rail fares have increased by an average of 3.1% in England and Wales - and almost 3% in Scotland - despite a raft of issues on the network in 2018. | Rail fares have increased by an average of 3.1% in England and Wales - and almost 3% in Scotland - despite a raft of issues on the network in 2018. |
The rail industry says 98p of every pound spent on a ticket is invested back into the network. | The rail industry says 98p of every pound spent on a ticket is invested back into the network. |
But Wednesday's price hike was called "yet another kick in the wallet" by campaign group Railfuture. | But Wednesday's price hike was called "yet another kick in the wallet" by campaign group Railfuture. |
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the government had made a "record investment" in rail. | Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the government had made a "record investment" in rail. |
He also announced that a new railcard extending child fares to 16 and 17-year-olds will be available ahead of the new academic year in September. | He also announced that a new railcard extending child fares to 16 and 17-year-olds will be available ahead of the new academic year in September. |
A discount railcard for 26 to 30-year-olds will go on sale from 12:00 GMT. | A discount railcard for 26 to 30-year-olds will go on sale from 12:00 GMT. |
Fares in London will stay the same after a decision by Mayor Sadiq Khan to freeze Transport for London prices. | Fares in London will stay the same after a decision by Mayor Sadiq Khan to freeze Transport for London prices. |
Protests against rises elsewhere are expected outside stations across the country from rail unions, politicians and campaigners. | Protests against rises elsewhere are expected outside stations across the country from rail unions, politicians and campaigners. |
The rise in England and Wales - the highest since January 2013 - will see the price of some annual season tickets go up by more than £100. | The rise in England and Wales - the highest since January 2013 - will see the price of some annual season tickets go up by more than £100. |
Analysis from the Labour Party of more than 180 routes claimed that since the Conservatives came into power in 2010, the average commuter is paying £786 more for their annual season ticket. | Analysis from the Labour Party of more than 180 routes claimed that since the Conservatives came into power in 2010, the average commuter is paying £786 more for their annual season ticket. |
The increases come despite one in seven trains being delayed by at least five minutes in the past 12 months - the network's worst performance since September 2005, according to the Press Association | The increases come despite one in seven trains being delayed by at least five minutes in the past 12 months - the network's worst performance since September 2005, according to the Press Association |
Chaos caused by new timetables from Northern and Govia Thameslink added to problems of extreme weather, strikes and signal failures hitting routes across the country. | Chaos caused by new timetables from Northern and Govia Thameslink added to problems of extreme weather, strikes and signal failures hitting routes across the country. |
Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said the latest increases were "an affront to everyone who has had to endure years of chaos on Britain's railways". | Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said the latest increases were "an affront to everyone who has had to endure years of chaos on Britain's railways". |
Around 45% of fares are regulated by government, and capped at July's retail price index inflation figure - 3.2%. | Around 45% of fares are regulated by government, and capped at July's retail price index inflation figure - 3.2%. |
Other increases are decided by the train companies. | Other increases are decided by the train companies. |
The government has said that fares could rise in line with a lower index of inflation if unions agree that rail workers' wages also increase at a lower rate. | The government has said that fares could rise in line with a lower index of inflation if unions agree that rail workers' wages also increase at a lower rate. |
'Value for money?' | 'Value for money?' |
The UK's railways are predominantly funded by customers' fares: last year's figures from the Office of Rail and Road show they yield £9.7bn, while the government provides £6.4bn - excluding loans from Network Rail. | The UK's railways are predominantly funded by customers' fares: last year's figures from the Office of Rail and Road show they yield £9.7bn, while the government provides £6.4bn - excluding loans from Network Rail. |
However, almost a third of the government funding was given specifically to the HS2 high-speed rail project. | However, almost a third of the government funding was given specifically to the HS2 high-speed rail project. |
Rail, Maritime and Transport union general secretary Mick Cash said fare payers are being "battered by the toxic combination of gross mismanagement and profiteering". | Rail, Maritime and Transport union general secretary Mick Cash said fare payers are being "battered by the toxic combination of gross mismanagement and profiteering". |
And campaign group Transport Focus said only 45% of passengers were satisfied with the value for money of their tickets. | And campaign group Transport Focus said only 45% of passengers were satisfied with the value for money of their tickets. |
Chief executive Anthony Smith said "the rail industry cannot be short of funding" thanks to passenger contributions, adding: "When will this translate into more reliable services that are better value for money?" | Chief executive Anthony Smith said "the rail industry cannot be short of funding" thanks to passenger contributions, adding: "When will this translate into more reliable services that are better value for money?" |
Mr Grayling said the government's investment into the network will help passengers get the "frequent, affordable and reliable journeys they deserve". | Mr Grayling said the government's investment into the network will help passengers get the "frequent, affordable and reliable journeys they deserve". |
The Department for Transport has also commissioned former British Airways chief executive Keith Williams to carry out a review of Britain's railway network - including fares. | The Department for Transport has also commissioned former British Airways chief executive Keith Williams to carry out a review of Britain's railway network - including fares. |
What are your views on the price increase? If you're on a train this morning, please send us a short video telling us where you're travelling to and from, how much your new train ticket will cost, and your opinion on it. Send your video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk | |
Please remember to leave a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: | Please remember to leave a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |