This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rail-fares-increasing-at-double-speed-of-wages-new-report-warns-a7193046.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Rail fares increasing at double speed of wages, new report warns | Rail fares increasing at double speed of wages, new report warns |
| (3 days later) | |
| Rail fares have increased at double the speed of wages since 2010, according to analysis. | Rail fares have increased at double the speed of wages since 2010, according to analysis. |
| Research by the TUC and the Action for Rail union campaign showed that fares have risen by 25% in the last six years, while average weekly earnings have grown by 12%. | Research by the TUC and the Action for Rail union campaign showed that fares have risen by 25% in the last six years, while average weekly earnings have grown by 12%. |
| The findings come as the Government is set to announce another round of regulated rail fare increases for the coming year. | The findings come as the Government is set to announce another round of regulated rail fare increases for the coming year. |
| The rise will be linked to July's Retail Price Index measure of inflation, which will be confirmed at 9.30am. June's figure was 1.6%. | The rise will be linked to July's Retail Price Index measure of inflation, which will be confirmed at 9.30am. June's figure was 1.6%. |
| Around half of rail fares are regulated, including season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance trips and Anytime tickets around major cities. | Around half of rail fares are regulated, including season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance trips and Anytime tickets around major cities. |
| As fares for passengers rise, dividends paid to shareholders of private train companies have risen by 21% in the last year to £222 million, said the unions. | As fares for passengers rise, dividends paid to shareholders of private train companies have risen by 21% in the last year to £222 million, said the unions. |
| TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Rail passengers are paying more and getting even less. | TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Rail passengers are paying more and getting even less. |
| "Fares go up while trains remain overcrowded, stations are unstaffed, and rail companies cut the guards who ensure journeys run smoothly and safely. | "Fares go up while trains remain overcrowded, stations are unstaffed, and rail companies cut the guards who ensure journeys run smoothly and safely. |
| "It's time for rail services to be publicly owned, saving money for passengers and taxpayers alike. | "It's time for rail services to be publicly owned, saving money for passengers and taxpayers alike. |
| "Instead of increasing fares and cutting staff, we should be building an accessible, reliable train service that Britain can be proud of." | "Instead of increasing fares and cutting staff, we should be building an accessible, reliable train service that Britain can be proud of." |
| Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "Once more the passengers and taxpayers will wonder why they must pay more for an increasingly poor service. | Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "Once more the passengers and taxpayers will wonder why they must pay more for an increasingly poor service. |
| "When will the Government and the Department for Transport listen to those impacted by daft decisions and what is patently only good for the vested interests?" | "When will the Government and the Department for Transport listen to those impacted by daft decisions and what is patently only good for the vested interests?" |
| RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The rail privatisation racket is robbing the British people day in and day out. | RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The rail privatisation racket is robbing the British people day in and day out. |
| "The train companies trouser billions while starving our rail infrastructure of the investment it so desperately needs. | "The train companies trouser billions while starving our rail infrastructure of the investment it so desperately needs. |
| "With the train companies queuing up to slash jobs and working conditions, at a time of dangerous overcrowding, it is a scandal that they are getting yet another fare hike. | "With the train companies queuing up to slash jobs and working conditions, at a time of dangerous overcrowding, it is a scandal that they are getting yet another fare hike. |
| "Private profit is being placed above rail safety." | "Private profit is being placed above rail safety." |
| TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "Our rail fares are already the highest in Europe and today's increases will only make that record worse. | TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "Our rail fares are already the highest in Europe and today's increases will only make that record worse. |
| "It's time that ministers gave rail passengers a break and actually froze fares in real terms. | "It's time that ministers gave rail passengers a break and actually froze fares in real terms. |
| "Fares on the most popular routes have jumped by more than 245% since rail was privatised 20 years ago. | "Fares on the most popular routes have jumped by more than 245% since rail was privatised 20 years ago. |
| "Running a publicly owned railway would end this annual mugging of passengers and give us a network run in the interests of passengers and staff." | "Running a publicly owned railway would end this annual mugging of passengers and give us a network run in the interests of passengers and staff." |
| A series of protests will be held at railway stations across the country by the unions on Tuesday. | A series of protests will be held at railway stations across the country by the unions on Tuesday. |