Rail fare hike expected
Train fares are expected to increase by up to four times the rate of inflation.
Rail passengers in South East England will see some off-peak fares on busy routes surging by up to ten per cent. The government-backed South Eastern Trains in Kent is likely to see the highest increases.
Passengers will be furious with the fare increases, especially as punctuality and reliability over the summer showed no improvement year-on-year, with around 20 per cent of trains running late.
Inter-City services fared little better.
Rail fares elsewhere will be as high as six per cent, even though the inflation rate currently stands at 2.6 per cent.
Anthony Smith, national director of the Rail Passengers’ Council, said: “We are extremely disappointed that there is any increase in fares at a time when performance is so weak. While the rise for the bulk of passengers is not too great, some will have to put up with very big increases.”
