Britons everywhere are moaning and groaning about the rise in rail fares this January.
Train fares across England, Wales and Scotland went up by an average of 1.1% from today.
Here’s what you need to know before complaining about the rise in fares – the rise in fares is actually the smallest annual increase for six years.
Take a look at these stats:
Jan 2010
Overall average fares increase: 1.1%
Jan 2011
Overall average fares increase: 6.2%
Jan 2012
Overall average fares increase: 5.9%
Jan 2013
Overall average fares increase: 3.9%
Jan 2014
Overall average fares increase: 2.8%
Jan 2015
Overall average fares increase: 2.2%
Jan 2016
Overall average fares increase: 1.1%
Also, on average 97p in every pound from fares is spent on trains, staff and other running costs.
Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group which represents train operators and Network Rail, said:
“We know that nobody likes to pay more to travel by train, especially to get to work, and at 1.1% this is the smallest average increase in fares for six years.
“On average 97p in every pound from fares is spent on trains, staff and other running costs. With passenger numbers doubling in the last 20 years, money from fares now almost covers the railway’s day-to-day operating costs.
“This allows government to focus its funding on building a bigger, better network when the railway is becoming increasingly important at driving economic growth, underpinning jobs, and connecting friends and families.
“As an industry, we are working closer together to deliver better stations, more trains and improved services, and to get more out of every pound we spend.”
Take a look at this pie chart:
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