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Rail fares rise by 2.7%, hitting millions of commuters Rail fares rise by 2.7%, hitting millions of commuters
(about 7 hours later)
Millions of commuters will have to pay an average of 2.7% more for train tickets from today.Millions of commuters will have to pay an average of 2.7% more for train tickets from today.
The rise, announced by industry body the Rail Delivery Group in November, is lower than the 3.1% increase at the start of last year.The rise, announced by industry body the Rail Delivery Group in November, is lower than the 3.1% increase at the start of last year.
Train companies say it is the third year in a row that average fares have been held below RPI - the inflation measure on which rises are based.Train companies say it is the third year in a row that average fares have been held below RPI - the inflation measure on which rises are based.
But many commuters face an increase of more than £100 for annual passes.But many commuters face an increase of more than £100 for annual passes.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps cited a new fund for trials for flexible fares as an example of how the government was committed to "putting passengers first".Transport Secretary Grant Shapps cited a new fund for trials for flexible fares as an example of how the government was committed to "putting passengers first".
He said he planned to tackle the "fragmented" system and had begun the process to end the franchise for Northern Rail, whose performance was "completely unacceptable".
"You can judge me on this at the end of the year," he said. "These changes are going to take time but I think people will see things moving in the right direction."
But Labour's shadow transport secretary, Andy McDonald, said the rise showed passengers were "once again paying more for less under the Tories".But Labour's shadow transport secretary, Andy McDonald, said the rise showed passengers were "once again paying more for less under the Tories".
Independent watchdog Transport Focus says most rail users (53%) do not feel train ticket prices offer value for money.Independent watchdog Transport Focus says most rail users (53%) do not feel train ticket prices offer value for money.
The watchdog's director, David Sidebottom, said: "After a year of pretty poor performance in some areas, passengers just want a consistent day-to-day service they can rely on and a better chance of getting a seat."The watchdog's director, David Sidebottom, said: "After a year of pretty poor performance in some areas, passengers just want a consistent day-to-day service they can rely on and a better chance of getting a seat."
He encouraged passengers to claim compensation for eligible delays in order to "offset" the cost of fare rises.He encouraged passengers to claim compensation for eligible delays in order to "offset" the cost of fare rises.
Some annual season tickets up by more than £100Some annual season tickets up by more than £100
For example:For example:
However, Robert Nisbet, director of nations and regions for Rail Delivery Group, said rail companies were investing in improving journeys while holding fare increases below inflation.However, Robert Nisbet, director of nations and regions for Rail Delivery Group, said rail companies were investing in improving journeys while holding fare increases below inflation.
He said 2020 will see 1,000 extra weekly services and 1,000 more carriages added to Britain's rail fleet.He said 2020 will see 1,000 extra weekly services and 1,000 more carriages added to Britain's rail fleet.
"There is a record level of investment going into the railway at the moment," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"For people who do suffer from poor punctuality in areas of the country, that could be for a variety of different reasons, we apologise. We are looking at at trying to make punctuality much better across the board," he said.
Official statistics show that just over one in three trains failed to arrive on time in July, August and September 2019, although that figure was an improvement on the previous year.
Passenger complaints
About 40% of annual rail price rises are regulated by governments in England, Scotland and Wales. They are pegged to the Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation measure for the previous July. Other fare rises are decided by train companies.About 40% of annual rail price rises are regulated by governments in England, Scotland and Wales. They are pegged to the Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation measure for the previous July. Other fare rises are decided by train companies.
RPI inflation was 2.8% last year.RPI inflation was 2.8% last year.
But RPI inflation is generally higher than the most widely watched measure of inflation, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI).But RPI inflation is generally higher than the most widely watched measure of inflation, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI).
Passenger groups have repeatedly called for the system to be changed since RPI inflation was abandoned by the National Audit Office as a national statistic in 2013.Passenger groups have repeatedly called for the system to be changed since RPI inflation was abandoned by the National Audit Office as a national statistic in 2013.
Protests will be held against the fare increase on Thursday, including a demonstration outside London King's Cross station.Protests will be held against the fare increase on Thursday, including a demonstration outside London King's Cross station.
The rallies come as the Trades Union Congress (TUC) releases research suggesting fares have risen by twice as much as wages in the last 10 years.The rallies come as the Trades Union Congress (TUC) releases research suggesting fares have risen by twice as much as wages in the last 10 years.
The TUC said someone earning an average salary in the UK would have to spend 16% of their wages for a season ticket from Chelmsford to London (£511 a month), but similar commutes would cost 2% of the average salary in France, and 4% in Germany and Belgium.The TUC said someone earning an average salary in the UK would have to spend 16% of their wages for a season ticket from Chelmsford to London (£511 a month), but similar commutes would cost 2% of the average salary in France, and 4% in Germany and Belgium.