European rail travellers generally get a better deal on tickets compared with British users, especially in south-east England, a watchdog report suggests.
European rail travellers generally get a better deal on tickets compared with British users, especially in south-east England, a watchdog report suggests.
Passenger Focus said "turn up and go" fares to London from elsewhere in the UK generally cost more than similar journeys in other European countries.
Passenger Focus said "turn up and go" fares to London from elsewhere in the UK generally cost more than similar journeys in other European countries.
On average, fares were 50% higher in Britain than on the continent.
On average, fares were 50% higher in Britain than on the continent.
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 with 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 with European ticket-buyers.
For example, in Britain long-distance turn-up-and-go fully flexible day-return fares to the principal city (London) were 87% 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 87% more expensive than in the next most expensive country surveyed - Germany. During a period of recession, it is untenable to continue with above inflation fare increases Guy Dangerfield, Passenger Focus
This type of British fare was also more than three times as expensive than in the cheapest country surveyed - the Netherlands.
This type of British fare was also more than three times as expensive than in the cheapest country surveyed - the Netherlands.
British annual season tickets for journeys of no more than 25 miles were 88% more expensive than the next most expensive country - France - and more than four times pricier than the cheapest country - Italy.
'Not logical'
'Not logical'
British annual season tickets for journeys of no more than 25 miles were 88% more expensive than the next most expensive country - France - and more than four times pricier than the cheapest country - Italy.
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
Passenger Focus said the government should reconsider its plan to shift the cost of funding the railway from taxpayers to passengers, arguing that the policy was "born in very different economic times". 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."
Spokesman Guy Dangerfield told the BBC: "During a period of recession, it is untenable to continue with above inflation fare increases.
He added: "We also recommend that the government reviews its intention to shift the cost of funding the railway from taxpayers to passengers.
"The consequences for passengers are too severe."
"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."
Fundamental flaws
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."
Transport commentator Christian Wolmar said there appeared to be flaws at the very heart of the British system.
"Under British Rail, we didn't get much subsidy into the rail system. Now we get an awful lot of subsidy into the rail system and yet the fares are still high," he said.
"There is something fundamentally wrong there and I think this research highlights that."
Do you travel by rail in the UK? What is your view on prices? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Do you travel by rail in the UK? What is your view on prices? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
