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| Rail users face fare increases | Rail users face fare increases |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Some rail passengers will have to pay up to 15% more when new ticket prices are introduced on Saturday. | Some rail passengers will have to pay up to 15% more when new ticket prices are introduced on Saturday. |
| The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said fares will rise in January by an average of 1.1%. | The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said fares will rise in January by an average of 1.1%. |
| Tube fares in London will go up by an average of 3.9%. Bus fares paid using an Oyster card rise by 20p to £1.20. | |
| However, some rail fares will go down by 0.4% because the annual rise for regulated fares is linked to Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation. | However, some rail fares will go down by 0.4% because the annual rise for regulated fares is linked to Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation. |
| These include season tickets, but unregulated fares, which include many off-peak services, are rising. | These include season tickets, but unregulated fares, which include many off-peak services, are rising. |
| This means, for example, that a supersaver fare from London to Swindon in Wiltshire will increase by 15% to £23. | This means, for example, that a supersaver fare from London to Swindon in Wiltshire will increase by 15% to £23. |
| Atoc was criticised earlier this year for not itemising, as it normally does, each train company's average unregulated fares rise. | Atoc was criticised earlier this year for not itemising, as it normally does, each train company's average unregulated fares rise. |
| Some train companies, however, have given details of their unregulated fare rises. | Some train companies, however, have given details of their unregulated fare rises. |
| Virgin Trains is increasing unregulated fares by an average of 2.8%, while ScotRail's rise is 3%, and turn-up-and-go fares on Southern trains will go up by 4%. | Virgin Trains is increasing unregulated fares by an average of 2.8%, while ScotRail's rise is 3%, and turn-up-and-go fares on Southern trains will go up by 4%. |
| UK train fares are already 20% higher than the European average so the government needs to make serious cuts to make taking the train affordable Cat Hobbs, Campaign for Better Transport | UK train fares are already 20% higher than the European average so the government needs to make serious cuts to make taking the train affordable Cat Hobbs, Campaign for Better Transport |
| A number of companies, including National Express East Anglia, First Capital Connect, TransPennine Express and Merseyrail have frozen their unregulated fares. | A number of companies, including National Express East Anglia, First Capital Connect, TransPennine Express and Merseyrail have frozen their unregulated fares. |
| But the Southeastern train company said some of its unregulated fares were rising 7.3% and others by 2.8%. | But the Southeastern train company said some of its unregulated fares were rising 7.3% and others by 2.8%. |
| The company has just introduced 140mph high-speed Javelin trains on its Kent services into London, and the increases mean Southeastern passengers will find their season tickets going up by 1.6% whether they use the Javelin trains or not. | The company has just introduced 140mph high-speed Javelin trains on its Kent services into London, and the increases mean Southeastern passengers will find their season tickets going up by 1.6% whether they use the Javelin trains or not. |
| Atoc chief executive Michael Roberts said the "vast majority" of people travelling by rail will see "a fall, no rise or an increase below inflation". | Atoc chief executive Michael Roberts said the "vast majority" of people travelling by rail will see "a fall, no rise or an increase below inflation". |
| He added: "The fact is that fares will rise by an average of 1.1% in January. Not only is this the lowest rise since privatisation, it also comes in below the expected rate of inflation, representing a real-terms cut in fares for many passengers. | He added: "The fact is that fares will rise by an average of 1.1% in January. Not only is this the lowest rise since privatisation, it also comes in below the expected rate of inflation, representing a real-terms cut in fares for many passengers. |
| "The rail regulator's figures show that the average price paid for a single journey is just £5.05. The 1.1% increase will mean this figure will rise by 6p to £5.11." | "The rail regulator's figures show that the average price paid for a single journey is just £5.05. The 1.1% increase will mean this figure will rise by 6p to £5.11." |
| 'Too little, too late' | 'Too little, too late' |
| Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said the reductions were "good news" for many passengers. | Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said the reductions were "good news" for many passengers. |
| "For the first time in a generation they will see the cost of their tickets fall. I hope that this will encourage more people to travel by train, which is also good news for the economy and the environment." | "For the first time in a generation they will see the cost of their tickets fall. I hope that this will encourage more people to travel by train, which is also good news for the economy and the environment." |
| The Campaign for Better Transport's public transport campaigner Cat Hobbs said: "Regulated fares will fall by 4p for every £10 paid. | The Campaign for Better Transport's public transport campaigner Cat Hobbs said: "Regulated fares will fall by 4p for every £10 paid. |
| "This is too little, too late for passengers who are already paying hundreds of pounds more because of the government's policy of increasing fares. | "This is too little, too late for passengers who are already paying hundreds of pounds more because of the government's policy of increasing fares. |
| "UK train fares are already 20% higher than the European average so the government needs to make serious cuts to make taking the train affordable." | "UK train fares are already 20% higher than the European average so the government needs to make serious cuts to make taking the train affordable." |
| London Mayor Boris Johnson defended the Tube and bus increases. | London Mayor Boris Johnson defended the Tube and bus increases. |
| "I know the fares' rises will be hard but believe me, without them these huge improvements in our quality of life - and the retention of the standing of our city - would not be possible," he said. | "I know the fares' rises will be hard but believe me, without them these huge improvements in our quality of life - and the retention of the standing of our city - would not be possible," he said. |