Rail fares will increase by 2.7 per cent in January, the industry announced today.
The rise, announced by industry body the Rail Delivery Group, is lower than the 3.1% increase at the start of 2019.Train companies say this is the third year in a row that average fares have been held below the benchmark inflation measure on which rises are based.
“With 98p in every pound from fares going towards the cost of running the railway, ticket money is enabling unprecedented investment to improve journeys. As part of a programme to replace half the nation’s trains new for old by 2025, rail companies will deliver a thousand extra train carriages across the country next year alone. This will support the introduction of 1,000 new services to weekly timetables for next year, part of 11,300 extra being added by 2025.” says RDG
Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said:
“We speak to thousands of passengers each year and we know that less than half feel they get value for money. After a year of patchy performance passengers just want a consistent day-to-day service they can rely on and a better chance of getting a seat.
“Transport Focus has long called for a fares system that is simple to use, easy to understand and is flexible enough to cater to how people work and travel today.
“As fares rise passengers must make their voice heard and call on operators to deliver a better service. Passenger should claim compensation every time they are delayed to help offset the cost of the fares rise and Make Delay Pay.”
