Train firms come under fire
Bad news commuters – train fares are set to soar by an average 2.3 per cent from January.
The increase covers both season tickets and off-peak leisure tickets, according to rail industry experts.
The rise in regulated fares, which includes season tickets, had already been capped at July’s Retail Prices Index inflation rate of 1.9 per cent. However, unregulated fares face no cap.
Lianna Etkind of the Campaign for Better Transport said: “The train operating companies and the government need to work closely together to provide fairer, simpler and cheaper fares making sure people are always sold the cheapest ticket available.
“Between 1995 and 2016 passengers have seen average fares increase by 23.5 per cent and much more needs to be done by train operators and the government to give them a truly affordable railway.”
We understand how passengers feel when fares go up, and we know that in some places they haven’t always got the service they pay for,” said Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group.
“Around 97p in every pound passengers pay goes back into running and improving services.”
Leave a Comment