Commuter outrage at rail fare hike
Campaigners have reacted furiously after it was confirmed train fares will increase by an average of 6.2% in January.
Seasonal rail tickets will rise by an average of 5.8%, with some areas – notably commuters from Kent – paying over double that amount.
It means season ticket prices will break the £5,000 barrier for the first time, according to the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT).
“Politicians need to start living in the real world and understand that people simply cannot afford to pay a fifth of their income just to do a day’s work,” CBT chief executive Stephen Joseph said.
“The government pledged to create fair fares and we all expect them to keep that promise.”
Yesterday the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said the government had given it the remit to increase fares above inflation by reducing the amount paid by taxpayers. Around half of rail investment is currently funded from the public purse.
“More and more people are travelling by train and demand is expected to double in the coming decades so it is more important than ever that money is spent on providing better stations, more trains and faster services,” an ATOC spokesperson said.
“Money invested through fares has helped to bring about record levels of customer satisfaction and punctuality.”
Mr Joseph said commuters felt “pick-pocketed” by ministers who were making them pay more “for the same poor quality service”.
“Even with the promised extra investment, many passengers will see no actual improvement to their daily commute,” he added.
The CBT will launch a fresh campaign in the new year pressing the government to deliver on its promise of delivering fair rail fares.
