European rail travellers generally get a better deal on tickets compared with British users, especially in south-east England, a report suggests.
European rail travellers generally get a better deal on tickets compared with British users, especially in south-east England, a report suggests.
Customer watchdog Passenger Focus said "turn up and go" fares to London generally cost more compared with similar ones to other European cities.
Customer watchdog Passenger Focus said "turn up and go" fares to London generally cost more compared with similar ones to other European cities.
One ticket, to Amsterdam, was 3.31 times cheaper than its UK equivalent.
One ticket, to Amsterdam, was 3.31 times cheaper than its UK equivalent.
The watchdog called for rail firms to cap prices, but ministers said fares had fallen relative to earnings.
The watchdog called for rail firms to cap prices, but ministers said fares had fallen relative to earnings.
The Passenger Focus report said some long-distance fares to London were cheaper than comparable fares to other European big cities.
The Passenger Focus report said some long-distance fares to London were cheaper than comparable fares to other European big cities.
But it also found that passengers wanting to travel at short notice or who needed flexibility in journey times would generally be charged more, compared to European ticket-buyers. Passengers cannot be expected to continue paying above-inflation fare increases year on year during a recession Anthony SmithPassenger Focus
But it also found that passengers wanting to travel at short notice or who needed flexibility in journey times would generally be charged more, compared to European ticket-buyers. Passengers cannot be expected to continue paying above-inflation fare increases year on year during a recession Anthony SmithPassenger Focus
For example, in Britain long-distance turn-up-and-go fully flexible day-return fares to the principal city (London) were 1.87 times more expensive than in the next most expensive country surveyed - Germany.
For example, in Britain long-distance turn-up-and-go fully flexible day-return fares to the principal city (London) were 1.87 times more expensive than in the next most expensive country surveyed - Germany.
This type of British fare was also 3.31 times more expensive than in the cheapest country surveyed - the Netherlands.
This type of British fare was also 3.31 times more expensive than in the cheapest country surveyed - the Netherlands.
British annual season tickets for journeys of no more than 25 miles were 1.88 times more expensive than the next most expensive country - France - and 4.19 times pricier than the cheapest country - Italy.
British annual season tickets for journeys of no more than 25 miles were 1.88 times more expensive than the next most expensive country - France - and 4.19 times pricier than the cheapest country - Italy.
'Not logical'
'Not logical'
However, most British passengers appeared better served than other European passengers by the number and times of trains available, Passenger Focus said.
However, most British passengers appeared better served than other European passengers by the number and times of trains available, Passenger Focus said.
A previous survey by the watchdog found that most (83%) of British passengers were broadly happy with the quality of rail services.
A previous survey by the watchdog found that most (83%) of British passengers were broadly happy with the quality of rail services.
But under half (43%) were happy with the value for money they were getting.
But under half (43%) were happy with the value for money they were getting.
Looking at long-distance journeys, the report said the underlying fares structure was "complicated and not logical" and had to be seen to be fairer to passengers.
Looking at long-distance journeys, the report said the underlying fares structure was "complicated and not logical" and had to be seen to be fairer to passengers.
It would cost taxpayers an extra £500m a year to bring UK commuter fares in line with these other European countries, which are more heavily subsidised Andrew AdonisTransport minister
It would cost taxpayers an extra £500m a year to bring UK commuter fares in line with these other European countries, which are more heavily subsidised Andrew AdonisTransport minister
Passenger Focus chief executive Anthony Smith, said: "In the short-term we believe removing train companies' ability to increase some prices by more than headline [retail price index] inflation plus 1% can help."
Passenger Focus chief executive Anthony Smith, said: "In the short-term we believe removing train companies' ability to increase some prices by more than headline [retail price index] inflation plus 1% can help."
He added: "We also recommend that the government reviews its intention to shift the cost of funding the railway from taxpayers to passengers.
He added: "We also recommend that the government reviews its intention to shift the cost of funding the railway from taxpayers to passengers.
"This policy was born in very different economic times. Passengers cannot be expected to continue paying above-inflation fare increases year on year during a recession."
"This policy was born in very different economic times. Passengers cannot be expected to continue paying above-inflation fare increases year on year during a recession."
But transport minister Andrew Adonis said the government was committed to "sharing the cost of rail services fairly between taxpayers and passengers".
But transport minister Andrew Adonis said the government was committed to "sharing the cost of rail services fairly between taxpayers and passengers".
"It is estimated it would cost taxpayers an extra £500m a year to bring UK commuter fares in line with these other European countries, which are more heavily subsidised," he said.
"It is estimated it would cost taxpayers an extra £500m a year to bring UK commuter fares in line with these other European countries, which are more heavily subsidised," he said.
He argued that since 1997, regulated fares had fallen sharply relative to earnings, and that with inflation now falling, train fares would drop further.
He argued that since 1997, regulated fares had fallen sharply relative to earnings, and that with inflation now falling, train fares would drop further.
He added: "The Conservatives' plans to cut £840m from the Department for Transport budget would mean cuts to rail subsidy and therefore an increase in the fares paid by passengers."
He added: "The Conservatives' plans to cut £840m from the Department for Transport budget would mean cuts to rail subsidy and therefore an increase in the fares paid by passengers."
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