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Train fare rises draw criticism Train fare rises draw criticism
(10 minutes later)
Above-inflation price rises for rail tickets have come under attack from rail groups and opposition politicians.Above-inflation price rises for rail tickets have come under attack from rail groups and opposition politicians.
In many areas prices have risen by 4.3% - about 1% above inflation. Tickets for the Heathrow and Gatwick Express train services have risen by 7.3%. Many areas' regulated fares, which include season tickets, have risen by 4.3% - about 1% above inflation - but some unregulated fares are up by 7.3%.
The Tories said the "galling" rises showed ministers had failed to sort out the railways. Rail watchdog Passenger Focus said fares needed simplifying.The Tories said the "galling" rises showed ministers had failed to sort out the railways. Rail watchdog Passenger Focus said fares needed simplifying.
But the Department for Transport said they "want the railways to grow".But the Department for Transport said they "want the railways to grow".
'Government pressure''Government pressure'
On many main lines it is the fourth successive year in which tickets have risen by more than inflation.On many main lines it is the fourth successive year in which tickets have risen by more than inflation.
Train companies say the extra money is to pay for service improvements.Train companies say the extra money is to pay for service improvements.
It has become too much for people to travel during peak longer distance and therefore people are being pushed off the railways Anthony Smith Passenger FocusIt has become too much for people to travel during peak longer distance and therefore people are being pushed off the railways Anthony Smith Passenger Focus
But shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling accused ministers of pressurising rail firms to push up prices and force people to stop using the trains.But shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling accused ministers of pressurising rail firms to push up prices and force people to stop using the trains.
He said the government had orginally set out a 10-year plan to sort out the railways.He said the government had orginally set out a 10-year plan to sort out the railways.
The plan included "longer trains, longer platforms, upgrades to main lines, to tackle the capacity problems on our railways, to encourage people to leave their cars at home".The plan included "longer trains, longer platforms, upgrades to main lines, to tackle the capacity problems on our railways, to encourage people to leave their cars at home".
But he said: "None of that's now happening, so the only thing they can do is to push up fares, to collude with the train companies to do that, and as a result reduce overcrowding."But he said: "None of that's now happening, so the only thing they can do is to push up fares, to collude with the train companies to do that, and as a result reduce overcrowding."
Ticket 'jungle'Ticket 'jungle'
The transport department regulates some fares, including season tickets and saver tickets.The transport department regulates some fares, including season tickets and saver tickets.
Regulated fares account for 40% of tickets sold, and have risen by up to 4.3% in some areas. Although many such fares have not increased at all. Regulated fares account for 40% of tickets sold, and have risen by up to 4.3% in some areas, although many such fares have not increased at all.
Meanwhile, the 60% of fares which are set by private operators increased by up to 7.3%, which is nearly three times the government's 2.7% target rate of inflation.Meanwhile, the 60% of fares which are set by private operators increased by up to 7.3%, which is nearly three times the government's 2.7% target rate of inflation.
Unregulated fares include open tickets, when passengers buy their tickets on the day they want to travel.Unregulated fares include open tickets, when passengers buy their tickets on the day they want to travel.
Anthony Smith, of Passenger Focus, described the pricing system as a "jungle" that needed to be simplified.Anthony Smith, of Passenger Focus, described the pricing system as a "jungle" that needed to be simplified.
"It has become too much for people to travel during peak longer distance and therefore people are being pushed off the railways. It is not fair," he said."It has become too much for people to travel during peak longer distance and therefore people are being pushed off the railways. It is not fair," he said.
"Pushing people towards booking ahead in advance and being less flexible, it changes the nature of the railway.""Pushing people towards booking ahead in advance and being less flexible, it changes the nature of the railway."
'Commercial decision''Commercial decision'
Average increases in unregulated fares will be 6.6% on Virgin West Coast, 5.9% on Midland Mainline and 5.7% on Central Trains.Average increases in unregulated fares will be 6.6% on Virgin West Coast, 5.9% on Midland Mainline and 5.7% on Central Trains.
Merseyrail, which has increased its fares by 3.2%, has seen the lowest average increase. Heathrow and Gatwick Express tickets are up by 7.3%, but Merseyrail, which has increased its fares by 3.2%, has seen the lowest average increase.
A Department for Transport spokesman said setting fares which are not regulated is "a commercial decision for train operators".A Department for Transport spokesman said setting fares which are not regulated is "a commercial decision for train operators".
"It is in their interests to provide an attractive range of fares and to encourage more passengers to use the railway," he said."It is in their interests to provide an attractive range of fares and to encourage more passengers to use the railway," he said.
He added that "most commuter tickets and saver fares have their average increases capped at inflation plus 1%".He added that "most commuter tickets and saver fares have their average increases capped at inflation plus 1%".
The spokesman also addressed the overcrowding issue.The spokesman also addressed the overcrowding issue.
"Passenger numbers have continued to increase, with more than one billion using the network in the last year," he said."Passenger numbers have continued to increase, with more than one billion using the network in the last year," he said.
"Ministers have consistently said that they want the railways to grow and passenger numbers to increase and will be publishing later this year a framework for the longer-term future of the railways.""Ministers have consistently said that they want the railways to grow and passenger numbers to increase and will be publishing later this year a framework for the longer-term future of the railways."