Above-inflation rail fare increase criticised
By politics.co.uk staff
Rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus has criticised the above-inflation raise fare increases planned for 2009.
Regulated fare price hikes, which include annual season tickets, will increase by an average of six per cent when they come into effect from Friday.
This is well above the the current level of inflation and the rise in unregulated fares, including off-peak tickets, will increase even more.
Anthony Smith of Passenger Focus said: “Many passengers will shudder and shiver when they find out the scale of some new year fare rises.
“Average rises for regulated fares are six per cent, unregulated seven per cent but inflation is currently well below this.
“Fare rises that hark back to a time of high inflation and spiralling energy costs look very out of kilter.”
The price rise is based on the retail price index (RPI) inflation last July, and in 2008 it was as high as five per cent, meaning regulated fares – which are subject to annual rises of RPI plus one per cent – have to rise by six per cent.
Train companies claim the extra money will allow more investment in the railway network and it will be possible for commuters to find cheaper fares if they shop around.
CrossCountry train service will see the largest hike in prices with off-peak fares up by some 11 per cent.
