Anger as rail fares to increase by 2.3%
Campaigners and unions criticise rise, saying passengers are 'being priced off the railways'
Commuter campaign groups and trade unions are up in arms after the government announced rail fares will increase by an average of 2.3 per cent next year.
In August, it was revealed the maximum increase for regulated fares, covering most peak time journeys and season tickets, would be 1.9 per cent.
These rises are capped at one per cent above the annual rate consumer price inflation for the previous July, which was running at 0.9 per cent.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, unregulated fares, covering the majority of off-peak journeys, are not covered by that cap - and the average increase implies some "are likely to rise by considerably more than 2.3 per cent", says the BBC.
Paul Plummer, the chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, said: "We understand how passengers feel when fares go up and we know that in some places they haven't always got the service they pay for.
"Around 97p in every pound passengers pay goes back into running and improving services… This money helps government to support the biggest investment in our railway since Victorian times."
Commuter groups were unimpressed, however.
Lianna Etkind of the Campaign for Better Transport said passengers were "finding themselves priced off the railways", adding that between "1995 and 2016, passengers have seen average fares increase by 23.5 per cent".
She continued: "The train operating companies and the government need to work closely together to provide fairer, simpler and cheaper fares making sure people are always sold the cheapest ticket available."
Mick Cash, the general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said the announcement was "another kick in the teeth for British passengers".
The government also revealed it will provide a £15m compensation package to long-suffering Southern rail commuters over frequent cancellations and delays.
"Season ticket holders will be able to claim a refund for the equivalent of a month's travel. Passengers with an annual ticket will be able to claim the one-off payout against their 2016 ticket," says The Guardian.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Brits keeping 21 million ‘money secrets’ from friends and family, survey reveals
Speed Read Four in ten people admit staying quiet or telling fibs about debts or savings
By Joe Evans Last updated
-
London renters swap cramped flats for space in suburbia
Speed Read New figures show tenants are leaving Britain's cities and looking to upsize
By The Week Staff Published
-
Should the mortgage holiday scheme have been extended?
Speed Read Banks warn that some homeowners may struggle to repay additional debt
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
RBS offers coronavirus mortgage holidays
Speed Read Taxpayer-owned bank follows measures taken in virus-struck Italy
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
What are the changes to National Savings payouts?
Speed Read National Savings & Investments cuts dividends and prizes for bonds
By The Week Staff Published
-
China clears path to new digital currency
Speed Read Unlike other cryptocurrencies, Beijing’s would increase central control of the financial system
By Elliott Goat Last updated
-
Why are donations surging to the RNLI?
Speed Read Charity enjoys flood of funding after criticism for overseas work
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
PPI deadline day: how to claim
Speed Read Final chance for consumers to apply for compensation
By The Week Staff Published