This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37166033
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Rail season tickets cost 10% of net pay | Rail season tickets cost 10% of net pay |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Commuters spend more than a tenth of disposable income on annual rail season tickets, a BBC investigation found. | Commuters spend more than a tenth of disposable income on annual rail season tickets, a BBC investigation found. |
| Figures also show some commuters pay almost 40p per mile of railway while others pay 11p per mile. | Figures also show some commuters pay almost 40p per mile of railway while others pay 11p per mile. |
| Campaigners for better railways said people were "astonished" so much of their income was going on travel. | Campaigners for better railways said people were "astonished" so much of their income was going on travel. |
| Train operators say rail travel is better value for money than running a car. The government said it had capped rail fares in line with inflation. | Train operators say rail travel is better value for money than running a car. The government said it had capped rail fares in line with inflation. |
| Live: BBC Rail Special | Live: BBC Rail Special |
| The figures are based on a Campaign for Better Transport list of the most commonly used commuter services in six major cities. Our analysis was based on full time workers using an annual season ticket five days a week. | The figures are based on a Campaign for Better Transport list of the most commonly used commuter services in six major cities. Our analysis was based on full time workers using an annual season ticket five days a week. |
| It showed commuters using 85 annual passes into London, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol pay on average, 11% of the net median salaries for those cities. | It showed commuters using 85 annual passes into London, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol pay on average, 11% of the net median salaries for those cities. |
| BBC England's data unit found: | BBC England's data unit found: |
| Get the data here | Get the data here |
| 'Galling' | 'Galling' |
| James MacColl, head of campaigns at the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "Fares are so high for some routes that season tickets now make up a big proportion of household expenditure for many commuters. | James MacColl, head of campaigns at the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "Fares are so high for some routes that season tickets now make up a big proportion of household expenditure for many commuters. |
| "With passengers on some of the most expensive routes also experiencing worsening overcrowding, delays and cancellations, they are often left astonished that they're being charged even more for the privilege every year. | "With passengers on some of the most expensive routes also experiencing worsening overcrowding, delays and cancellations, they are often left astonished that they're being charged even more for the privilege every year. |
| "Short term, passengers must be assured they'll get proper compensation for disruptions, and fair ticketing must be introduced nationwide, including the long-promised and long-overdue part-time season tickets. | "Short term, passengers must be assured they'll get proper compensation for disruptions, and fair ticketing must be introduced nationwide, including the long-promised and long-overdue part-time season tickets. |
| "Long term, it's essential that passengers are given a proper say in how rail franchises are secured and managed, and for the link between fare rises and the outdated Retail Price Index to be scrapped once and for all." | "Long term, it's essential that passengers are given a proper say in how rail franchises are secured and managed, and for the link between fare rises and the outdated Retail Price Index to be scrapped once and for all." |
| It comes as commuters prepare for an expected 1.9% rise in the cost of rail season tickets in January, in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) of inflation. | It comes as commuters prepare for an expected 1.9% rise in the cost of rail season tickets in January, in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) of inflation. |
| The Department for Transport said more flexible tickets for part-time workers would be introduced. | The Department for Transport said more flexible tickets for part-time workers would be introduced. |
| Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: "Wages are growing faster than train ticket prices thanks to action by the Government and our commitment to cap regulated rail fares in line with inflation will save annual season ticket holders £425 on average in the five years to 2020. | |
| "Passengers want better services that get them where they need to go. We are investing record amounts in our railways delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century, providing more seats, more services and better facilities on the trains. | "Passengers want better services that get them where they need to go. We are investing record amounts in our railways delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century, providing more seats, more services and better facilities on the trains. |
| "When train franchises come to an end, new operators will be required to introduce more flexible tickets for part-time workers. This could include multi-buy discounts to provide passengers with a better deal." | "When train franchises come to an end, new operators will be required to introduce more flexible tickets for part-time workers. This could include multi-buy discounts to provide passengers with a better deal." |
| A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said train travel was "extremely good value compared, for example, with buying, insuring and filling up a car". | A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said train travel was "extremely good value compared, for example, with buying, insuring and filling up a car". |
| He said: "Part-time season tickets are something that, with the government, we're looking at. The way people work is changing and we understand that. Some train companies already offer deals that are suitable for part-time workers. | He said: "Part-time season tickets are something that, with the government, we're looking at. The way people work is changing and we understand that. Some train companies already offer deals that are suitable for part-time workers. |
| "As we modernise and move to smarter types of ticketing it will be easier to offer part-time season tickets." | "As we modernise and move to smarter types of ticketing it will be easier to offer part-time season tickets." |
| Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | |
| Or use the form below |