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Rail fares set to rise again in January | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Rail users in the UK are expected to be hit by a further rise in ticket prices which will come into effect next year. | Rail users in the UK are expected to be hit by a further rise in ticket prices which will come into effect next year. |
The increase will be based on the Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation measure for July which will be announced on Wednesday. | The increase will be based on the Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation measure for July which will be announced on Wednesday. |
Analysts expect the figure to be around 2.8%, likely to lead to an increase of more than £100 in the annual cost of getting to work for many commuters. | Analysts expect the figure to be around 2.8%, likely to lead to an increase of more than £100 in the annual cost of getting to work for many commuters. |
Passenger groups have urged a change in the way ticket prices are calculated. | Passenger groups have urged a change in the way ticket prices are calculated. |
The Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) has repeatedly said the most widely watched and used measure of inflation, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), should be used instead of RPI. | The Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) has repeatedly said the most widely watched and used measure of inflation, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), should be used instead of RPI. |
Last month this was 2% and it is typically lower than the RPI rate of inflation. | Last month this was 2% and it is typically lower than the RPI rate of inflation. |
CBT chief executive Darren Shirley said the expected ticket price rises were "exorbitant". | CBT chief executive Darren Shirley said the expected ticket price rises were "exorbitant". |
"The government should commit now to January's fares rise being linked to CPI," he added. | "The government should commit now to January's fares rise being linked to CPI," he added. |
Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: "It's tempting to suggest fares should never rise. However, the truth is that if we stop investing in our railway then we will never see it improved. | Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: "It's tempting to suggest fares should never rise. However, the truth is that if we stop investing in our railway then we will never see it improved. |
The TUC trade union renewed its call for the railway to be renationalised, arguing it would lead to lower ticket prices. | The TUC trade union renewed its call for the railway to be renationalised, arguing it would lead to lower ticket prices. |
"We're already paying the highest ticket prices in Europe to travel on overcrowded and understaffed trains. | "We're already paying the highest ticket prices in Europe to travel on overcrowded and understaffed trains. |
"The number one priority should be running a world-class railway service, not subsidising private train companies," said TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady. | "The number one priority should be running a world-class railway service, not subsidising private train companies," said TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady. |
More train delays | More train delays |
At the start of this year, train fares went up by an average of 3.1% in England and Wales and 2.8% in Scotland. | At the start of this year, train fares went up by an average of 3.1% in England and Wales and 2.8% in Scotland. |
The rise in England and Wales - the highest since January 2013 - meant the price of some annual season tickets rose by more than £100. | The rise in England and Wales - the highest since January 2013 - meant the price of some annual season tickets rose by more than £100. |
In Scotland, peak-time season tickets and anytime day tickets became 3.2% more expensive, while the capped increase of off-peak fares was 2.2%. | In Scotland, peak-time season tickets and anytime day tickets became 3.2% more expensive, while the capped increase of off-peak fares was 2.2%. |
Rail passengers have had to endure more delays on the network this year. | Rail passengers have had to endure more delays on the network this year. |
Last week was particularly bad, with thousands of people affected by a signal failure, which led to the suspension of all services out of London Euston, on Thursday. | Last week was particularly bad, with thousands of people affected by a signal failure, which led to the suspension of all services out of London Euston, on Thursday. |
And then trains were also affected in Friday's power cut, with many stranded across the network | And then trains were also affected in Friday's power cut, with many stranded across the network |
Delays also happened during July's heatwave, while in January London Overground commuters were given a month's free travel after delays to the delivery of new electric trains. | Delays also happened during July's heatwave, while in January London Overground commuters were given a month's free travel after delays to the delivery of new electric trains. |