Above-inflation price rises for rail tickets have come under attack from rail groups and opposition politicians.
Above-inflation price rises for rail tickets have come under attack from rail groups and opposition politicians.
In many areas prices have risen by 4.3% - about 1% above inflation. Tickets for the Heathrow and Gatwick Express train services have risen by 7.3%.
In many areas prices have risen by 4.3% - about 1% above inflation. Tickets for the Heathrow and Gatwick Express train services have risen by 7.3%.
The Tories said the "galling" rises showed ministers had failed to sort out the railways. Rail watchdog Passenger Focus said fares needed simplifying.
The Tories said the "galling" rises showed ministers had failed to sort out the railways. Rail watchdog Passenger Focus said fares needed simplifying.
But the Department for Transport said they "want the railways to grow".
But the Department for Transport said they "want the railways to grow".
'Government pressure'
'Government pressure'
The Association of Train Operating Companies has said the money is to pay for service improvements.
On many main lines it is the fourth successive year in which tickets have risen by more than inflation.
On many main lines it is the fourth successive year in which tickets have risen by more than inflation.
Train companies say the extra money is to pay for service improvements.
It has become too much for people to travel during peak longer distance and therefore people are being pushed off the railways Anthony Smith Passenger Focus
It has become too much for people to travel during peak longer distance and therefore people are being pushed off the railways Anthony Smith Passenger Focus
Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling said the increases were being dictated by ministers "who now specify in minute detail what rail companies can or can't do".
But shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling accused ministers of pressurising rail firms to push up prices and force people to stop using the trains.
He said ministers were "deliberately putting train companies under pressure to push up fares because it's the only way they can think of to deal with the increasing problem of overcrowding on our trains".
He said the government had orginally set out a 10-year plan to sort out the railways.
He added that the increases were "all the more galling" because the government's 10-year plan for transport "was supposed to solve all of these problems".
The plan included "longer trains, longer platforms, upgrades to main lines, to tackle the capacity problems on our railways, to encourage people to leave their cars at home".
"Now, in 2007, it's clear that virtually none of those improvements are going to happen - and the government's only strategy now is to try to use fare increases to keep overcrowding under control," he said.
But he said: "None of that's now happening, so the only thing they can do is to push up fares, to collude with the train companies to do that, and as a result reduce overcrowding."
Ticket 'jungle'
Ticket 'jungle'
The transport department regulates some fares, including season tickets and saver tickets.
The transport department regulates some fares, including season tickets and saver tickets.
Regulated fares account for 40% of tickets sold, and have risen by up to 4.3% in some areas. Although many such fares have not increased at all.
Regulated fares account for 40% of tickets sold, and have risen by up to 4.3% in some areas. Although many such fares have not increased at all.
Passenger numbers have continued to increase, with more than one billion using the network in the last year Department for Transport spokesman
Meanwhile, the 60% of fares which are set by private operators increased by up to 7.3%, which is nearly three times the government's 2.7% target rate of inflation.
Meanwhile, the 60% of fares which are set by private operators increased by up to 7.3%, which is nearly three times the government's 2.7% target rate of inflation.
Unregulated fares include open tickets, when passengers buy their tickets on the day they want to travel.
Unregulated fares include open tickets, when passengers buy their tickets on the day they want to travel.
Anthony Smith, of Passenger Focus, described the pricing system as a "jungle" that needed to be simplified.
Anthony Smith, of Passenger Focus, described the pricing system as a "jungle" that needed to be simplified.
"It has become too much for people to travel during peak longer distance and therefore people are being pushed off the railways. It is not fair," he said.
"It has become too much for people to travel during peak longer distance and therefore people are being pushed off the railways. It is not fair," he said.
"Pushing people towards booking ahead in advance and being less flexible, it changes the nature of the railway."
"Pushing people towards booking ahead in advance and being less flexible, it changes the nature of the railway."
'Commercial decision'
'Commercial decision'
Average increases in unregulated fares will be 6.6% on Virgin West Coast, 5.9% on Midland Mainline and 5.7% on Central Trains.
Average increases in unregulated fares will be 6.6% on Virgin West Coast, 5.9% on Midland Mainline and 5.7% on Central Trains.
Merseyrail, which has increased its fares by 3.2%, has seen the lowest average increase.
Merseyrail, which has increased its fares by 3.2%, has seen the lowest average increase.
First Great Western, operating between Cardiff and Swansea, has raised many of its prices by 6%.
First Great Western, operating between Cardiff and Swansea, has raised many of its prices by 6%.
However, Arriva Trains Wales is cutting the price of tickets on the same line, where it is fighting with First Great Western for customers.
However, Arriva Trains Wales is cutting the price of tickets on the same line, where it is fighting with First Great Western for customers.
A Department for Transport spokesman said setting fares which are not regulated is "a commercial decision for train operators".
A Department for Transport spokesman said setting fares which are not regulated is "a commercial decision for train operators".
"It is in their interests to provide an attractive range of fares and to encourage more passengers to use the railway," he said.
"It is in their interests to provide an attractive range of fares and to encourage more passengers to use the railway," he said.
He added that "most commuter tickets and saver fares have their average increases capped at inflation plus 1%".
He added that "most commuter tickets and saver fares have their average increases capped at inflation plus 1%".
The spokesman also addressed the overcrowding issue.
The spokesman also addressed the overcrowding issue.
"Passenger numbers have continued to increase, with more than one billion using the network in the last year," he said.
"Passenger numbers have continued to increase, with more than one billion using the network in the last year," he said.
"Ministers have consistently said that they want the railways to grow and passenger numbers to increase and will be publishing later this year a framework for the longer-term future of the railways."
"Ministers have consistently said that they want the railways to grow and passenger numbers to increase and will be publishing later this year a framework for the longer-term future of the railways."
Has the cost of your rail journey increased sharply? Is the passenger being taken for a ride? Send us your comments and experiences.
Has the cost of your rail journey increased sharply? Is the passenger being taken for a ride? Send us your comments and experiences.
It stands to reason that if there is overcrowding then the train companies are taking an excess in revenue beyond that calculated and beyond the service they provide. They always witter on about needing money for improvements but in many cases they can't even ensure that the toilets are working on trains. It seems none of them have learnt the lesson of "killing the goose that laid the golden eggs". Mike, Polegate,UK
It stands to reason that if there is overcrowding then the train companies are taking an excess in revenue beyond that calculated and beyond the service they provide. They always witter on about needing money for improvements but in many cases they can't even ensure that the toilets are working on trains. It seems none of them have learnt the lesson of "killing the goose that laid the golden eggs". Mike, Polegate,UK
So we're taxed on petrol because our cars are so terribly "eco-unfriendly" and the roads are too congested, and encouraged to use public transport (ie the train). However, train fares are increased to stop us using the train because they are too overcrowded as well. Maybe we should all just stay at home and not work for a living? Or more sensibly, deal with the issue of the overcrowding in the country and bring in an effective immigration policy. If not that then why doesn't the government use all this taxed money to subsidise a more effective public transport? Jon Clarke, Melbourne, Aus (British ex-pat)
So we're taxed on petrol because our cars are so terribly "eco-unfriendly" and the roads are too congested, and encouraged to use public transport (ie the train). However, train fares are increased to stop us using the train because they are too overcrowded as well. Maybe we should all just stay at home and not work for a living? Or more sensibly, deal with the issue of the overcrowding in the country and bring in an effective immigration policy. If not that then why doesn't the government use all this taxed money to subsidise a more effective public transport? Jon Clarke, Melbourne, Aus (British ex-pat)
I regularly travel on the Virgin West Coast line, and the single ticket I had previously bought for £10 is now showing up at £40. This is well above the 6.6% fare rise - I just want to know how the 400% increase is justified?Concerned, Bristol, UK
I regularly travel on the Virgin West Coast line, and the single ticket I had previously bought for £10 is now showing up at £40. This is well above the 6.6% fare rise - I just want to know how the 400% increase is justified?Concerned, Bristol, UK
The railway service in Britain is archaic and proven to be sub-standard compared to our European neighbours. Raising the price of tickets above inflation is bad enough, but we are also being charged so much for such poor railway services is taken the British public for mugs. And what has happened to this big drive to get Britain off the road and using public transport? Simon Grove, Stafford
The railway service in Britain is archaic and proven to be sub-standard compared to our European neighbours. Raising the price of tickets above inflation is bad enough, but we are also being charged so much for such poor railway services is taken the British public for mugs. And what has happened to this big drive to get Britain off the road and using public transport? Simon Grove, Stafford
It's ridiculous how the government tells us to use public transport more instead of our cars! Sorry but with these prices keeping on rising I might as well stick with my car.Connor, Worthing
It's ridiculous how the government tells us to use public transport more instead of our cars! Sorry but with these prices keeping on rising I might as well stick with my car.Connor, Worthing
