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Friday, March 29, 2024

Rail fares to rise by 6.2 per cent

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Campaigners and rail unions are protesting at stations up and down the country in reaction to the Government’s announcement that rail fares are to rise by 6.2 per cent next year.

This morning the Government confirmed July’s Retail Price Index (RPI) at 3.2 per cent which, with the current calculation of RPI plus three per cent in England, will see ticket prices again rise above inflation.

Fares will go up in Scotland by RPI plus one per cent, while Wales is yet to announce a figure.

TOCs will also be allowed to increase some fares by more than this rate, with a number of routes potentially costing passengers 11 per cent more in 2013.

This government is allowing more hikes in fares but commuters will get a worse service because of staffing cuts.

TUC deputy general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “These fare rises will add even more pressure to passengers already feeling a massive squeeze on their incomes.

“The government is asking train operators to make cuts to staff on trains, stations and in ticket offices while continuing to receive public subsidy and give millions in dividends to shareholders.

“Passengers are being asked to pay more to get less. We want cuts to rail fares, not rail staff.”

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers was unable to give any indication as to when passengers would see the end of above-inflation fare hikes.

Unite National Officer Julia Long said: “Long-suffering commuters already face some of the highest rail fares in Europe, while hard-working rail workers face the sack with thousands of jobs at risk.

“This government is allowing more hikes in fares but commuters will get a worse service because of staffing cuts. This is disgraceful behaviour at any time but to do this in the middle of a recession is unforgiveable.

“To make matters worse the privatised rail companies have been given a series of blank cheques by government to subsidise their operations. There is another way – that is to bring rail back under public ownership to cut fares and improve the service.”

4 COMMENTS

  1. The Government is saying that they are “allowing TOCs to increase regulated fares”. Surely, the TOCs should be forced to commit themselves to greatly increased investment in station facilities and new trains, otherwise additional fare revenues collected from 2013 will merely disappear into the pockets of shareholders or the coffers of the European state railways.

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