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Rail travellers hit by fare rises Rail travellers hit by fare rises
(about 4 hours later)
Rail passengers will see the cost of a ticket rise by an average of 6.2%, as planned price rises come into force.Rail passengers will see the cost of a ticket rise by an average of 6.2%, as planned price rises come into force.
Regulated fares, which include season tickets, have gone up by an average of 5.8%, but some mainline season tickets have increased by almost 13%.Regulated fares, which include season tickets, have gone up by an average of 5.8%, but some mainline season tickets have increased by almost 13%.
Some unregulated fares, typically short distance off-peak ones, have also risen by more than the 6.2% average but the industry has not given a figure.Some unregulated fares, typically short distance off-peak ones, have also risen by more than the 6.2% average but the industry has not given a figure.
Tube and bus fares in London have risen by an average of 6.8%.Tube and bus fares in London have risen by an average of 6.8%.
Passenger groups are angry about the rises, but the government and London Mayor Boris Johnson say the increases are necessary to support vital transport projects.Passenger groups are angry about the rises, but the government and London Mayor Boris Johnson say the increases are necessary to support vital transport projects.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said: "Many passengers returning to work in the new year will be baffled about why they are paying much higher figures than the 'averages' published by the train companies.Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said: "Many passengers returning to work in the new year will be baffled about why they are paying much higher figures than the 'averages' published by the train companies.
"With the train companies again free to raise fares on individual routes, some passengers will be facing rises way above inflation and in some cases it will be back to the bad old days of double-digit fare increases.""With the train companies again free to raise fares on individual routes, some passengers will be facing rises way above inflation and in some cases it will be back to the bad old days of double-digit fare increases."
The Campaign for Better Transport said the cost of some annual season tickets exceeded £5,000 for the first time and warned the rises would price people off trains.The Campaign for Better Transport said the cost of some annual season tickets exceeded £5,000 for the first time and warned the rises would price people off trains.
It says an annual season ticket for commuters travelling on services between London and Tonbridge, in Kent, has risen by 12.7% to £5,192.It says an annual season ticket for commuters travelling on services between London and Tonbridge, in Kent, has risen by 12.7% to £5,192.
A season ticket on the First Capital Connect stopping service between Peterborough and London, which was £5,000, is now £5,320.A season ticket on the First Capital Connect stopping service between Peterborough and London, which was £5,000, is now £5,320.
A spokesman for the Association of Train Operating Companies has said that, even with the 2011 increases, the money from tickets covered only half the cost of running the railways, with the rest falling to taxpayers.A spokesman for the Association of Train Operating Companies has said that, even with the 2011 increases, the money from tickets covered only half the cost of running the railways, with the rest falling to taxpayers.
He said above-inflation fare rises were the result of government policy which has "sought to sustain investment in the railways by reducing the amount that taxpayers contribute and requiring passengers to pay more".He said above-inflation fare rises were the result of government policy which has "sought to sustain investment in the railways by reducing the amount that taxpayers contribute and requiring passengers to pay more".
Regulated fares are tied to an annual price cap formula meaning fares can increase each January only by the previous July's RPI inflation rate plus 1%. This means a 5.8% average rise for 2011.Regulated fares are tied to an annual price cap formula meaning fares can increase each January only by the previous July's RPI inflation rate plus 1%. This means a 5.8% average rise for 2011.
However, companies are able to put up some fares by more than 5% as long as other fares decrease at the same rate. There is no price cap on unregulated fares.However, companies are able to put up some fares by more than 5% as long as other fares decrease at the same rate. There is no price cap on unregulated fares.
In January 2012, passengers will have to dig even deeper into their pockets when the annual price rise formula changes to RPI plus 3% across the network.In January 2012, passengers will have to dig even deeper into their pockets when the annual price rise formula changes to RPI plus 3% across the network.
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