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Train fares rise 6% in new year Train fares to go up in new year
(30 minutes later)
Rail passengers are facing increases on regulated fares - including season tickets - of 6% on average, with some rises at double the rate of inflation. Rail passengers face fare rises in the new year - with some tickets in England, Scotland and Wales going up by double the rate of inflation.
Standard off-peak tickets will go up by an average of 7% from 2 January 2009. Regulated fares - including season tickets - are due to increase by an average of 6% from 2 January 2009.
The rises are based on July's inflation rate plus 1%, and firms say they are justified by the investment going in. Unregulated tickets - including most leisure and advance fares - will rise by 7% on average, with some rising 11%.
Unregulated tickets - including most leisure and advance fares - will vary, rising by 7% on average. The highest increase is CrossCountry, at 11%. Train companies say the revenue will be reinvested, but watchdog Passenger Focus says some rises are unjustified.
Regulated fares are based on a set formula which limits increases to 1% above retail price index (RPI) inflation.Regulated fares are based on a set formula which limits increases to 1% above retail price index (RPI) inflation.
This means the increases are based on July's RPI of 5%, a figure which has since dropped to 4.2%.
Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) chief executive Michael Roberts said the increased revenue would be reinvested and passengers would benefit.
He insisted it would result in better value for taxpayers, falling in line with government policy to reduce railway subsidies by 40% between 2006-07 and 2013-14. UNREGULATED FARE RISES East Midlands trains - 7.4%First Capital Connect - 9%First Great Western - 6.6%First Scotrail - 6% South West Trains - 7.2%Virgin Trains - 7%National Express East Coast - 7.4%
The government's policy is to increase fares above inflation and reduce the contribution from the taxpayer.The government's policy is to increase fares above inflation and reduce the contribution from the taxpayer.
The increases are based on July's RPI of 5%, a figure which has since dropped to 4.2%.
Some lower fares
Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) chief executive Michael Roberts said passengers would benefit from the reinvestment, while taxpayers would receive better value.
The changes fall in line with government policy to reduce railway subsidies by 40% between 2006-07 and 2013-14, he said. UNREGULATED FARE RISES East Midlands trains - 7.4%First Capital Connect - 9%First Great Western - 6.6%First Scotrail - 6% South West Trains - 7.2%Virgin Trains - 7%National Express East Coast - 7.4%
Mr Roberts said: "Passengers in recent years have helped pay for 20% more services, and performance in the first half of this year is at the highest level since records began, with more than 90% of trains arriving on time.Mr Roberts said: "Passengers in recent years have helped pay for 20% more services, and performance in the first half of this year is at the highest level since records began, with more than 90% of trains arriving on time.
"Yet, since 1996, in real terms, overall rail fares have risen by just 5% and standard-class regulated fares are actually lower than they were in the year before privatisation.""Yet, since 1996, in real terms, overall rail fares have risen by just 5% and standard-class regulated fares are actually lower than they were in the year before privatisation."
He told BBC News that some people would see their ticket prices drop. Some people would see their ticket prices drop, he told BBC News.
He said: "These fares changes actually mean that 15% of all fares will either be frozen or actually will fall. "These fares changes actually mean that 15% of all fares will either be frozen or actually will fall.
"At the same time train companies will be investing in a £800m programme of improvements to trains and to stations, and I think that's actually good news for passengers.""At the same time train companies will be investing in a £800m programme of improvements to trains and to stations, and I think that's actually good news for passengers."
CrossCountry has the highest increase for its unregulated fares at 11%, while London Midland has frozen its unregulated fares so prices will go down 5%.
'Not welcome''Not welcome'
But Anthony Smith, chief executive of watchdog Passenger Focus, said he was concerned about the above-inflation rises. Anthony Smith, chief executive of watchdog Passenger Focus, said he was concerned about the above-inflation rises.
He said: "No fare rises are welcome in the current economic climate. These rises hark back to a time of high inflation and spiralling energy costs. These average fares will no doubt mask some very steep rises on particular routes Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus He said: "No fare rises are welcome in the current economic climate. These rises hark back to a time of high inflation and spiralling energy costs.
"The economy is different now, but the seemingly unstoppable rail-price express ploughs on."The economy is different now, but the seemingly unstoppable rail-price express ploughs on.
"Some train companies deserve credit for limiting some unregulated rises. However, rises way above inflation are unjustified and unfair."Some train companies deserve credit for limiting some unregulated rises. However, rises way above inflation are unjustified and unfair.
"These average fares will no doubt mask some very steep rises on particular routes.""These average fares will no doubt mask some very steep rises on particular routes."
He called for the government to become more involved and added: "We also need to look closely at establishing a fairer link between fares, investment and satisfactory performance.He called for the government to become more involved and added: "We also need to look closely at establishing a fairer link between fares, investment and satisfactory performance.
"We cannot simply go on dumping costs on to the passenger in this way.""We cannot simply go on dumping costs on to the passenger in this way."