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'Lowest' annual train fare rise 'Lowest' annual train fare rise
(30 minutes later)
Train fares are to rise by the lowest rate since rail privatisation in the mid-1990s, the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) has said.Train fares are to rise by the lowest rate since rail privatisation in the mid-1990s, the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) has said.
It announced that fares will increase by an average of 1.1% in January.It announced that fares will increase by an average of 1.1% in January.
Regulated fares, which include season tickets, will fall by 0.4%. However unregulated fares, including cheap day returns, are expected to go up.Regulated fares, which include season tickets, will fall by 0.4%. However unregulated fares, including cheap day returns, are expected to go up.
Some rail unions have expressed fears that the price of some tickets may rise by as much as 10%.Some rail unions have expressed fears that the price of some tickets may rise by as much as 10%.
The average cost of a train journey is to rise from £5.05 to £5.11 from January.The average cost of a train journey is to rise from £5.05 to £5.11 from January.
The formula that sets the limits of regulated fares will finally work in passengers' favour Anthony Smith, chief executive of Passenger Focus Regulated fares make up about 40% of all fares and will fall because they are capped at RPI inflation plus 1%, based on July's inflation rate of minus 1.4%.
Atoc usually releases separate figures for the regulated and unregulated increases.
The formula that sets the limits of regulated fares will finally work in passengers' favour Anthony SmithChief executive, Passenger Focus
However, with these latest figures it would not disclose what the average unregulated fare increase would be, opting instead to combine the two figures to make the 1.1% rise.
Atoc chief executive Michael Roberts said: "Not only is January's average fare rise the lowest since privatisation, but it will come in well below the rate of inflation, meaning a real-terms cut in prices for many passengers."Atoc chief executive Michael Roberts said: "Not only is January's average fare rise the lowest since privatisation, but it will come in well below the rate of inflation, meaning a real-terms cut in prices for many passengers."
He said "record performance, better services and value-for-money fares" had led to "the highest number of passengers travelling by rail for 60 years".He said "record performance, better services and value-for-money fares" had led to "the highest number of passengers travelling by rail for 60 years".
Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said the average figure would "mask steep rises on individual routes".Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said the average figure would "mask steep rises on individual routes".
However, he added that "after years of punishing, above-inflation fare rises, some passengers will see a little light in the new year".However, he added that "after years of punishing, above-inflation fare rises, some passengers will see a little light in the new year".
"The formula that sets the limits of regulated fares will finally work in passengers' favour," he said."The formula that sets the limits of regulated fares will finally work in passengers' favour," he said.