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Rail fares rises set to be revealed Rail fares rises set to be revealed
(40 minutes later)
The amount by which rail fares could rise from January is to be revealed, with some commuters set to see rises of more than double the rate of inflation.The amount by which rail fares could rise from January is to be revealed, with some commuters set to see rises of more than double the rate of inflation.
The Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation - expected to remain at 2.8% - is used to calculate the rises.The Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation - expected to remain at 2.8% - is used to calculate the rises.
Some English fares will rise by RPI plus 3%, while in Scotland they will go up by RPI plus 1%. Wales has yet to set a figure for its increase.Some English fares will rise by RPI plus 3%, while in Scotland they will go up by RPI plus 1%. Wales has yet to set a figure for its increase.
The extra money is helping to fund huge investment across the network.The extra money is helping to fund huge investment across the network.
There are no fare increases currently planned in Northern Ireland, where fares are not linked to RPI.There are no fare increases currently planned in Northern Ireland, where fares are not linked to RPI.
The figures for planned rises in England and Scotland are an average across regulated tickets, which make up half of all fares. These regulated fares include season tickets and off-peak intercity journeys.The figures for planned rises in England and Scotland are an average across regulated tickets, which make up half of all fares. These regulated fares include season tickets and off-peak intercity journeys.
Some passengers could see their journey prices rising by more than the average, as train companies are allowed to increase them by more, as long as they cut ticket prices elsewhere.Some passengers could see their journey prices rising by more than the average, as train companies are allowed to increase them by more, as long as they cut ticket prices elsewhere.
BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott says passengers and taxpayers used to split the cost of running the railways, with both sides paying about half each, but successive ministers have cut the amount of government funding and that has resulted in regular fare rises.BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott says passengers and taxpayers used to split the cost of running the railways, with both sides paying about half each, but successive ministers have cut the amount of government funding and that has resulted in regular fare rises.
The latest rise will mean fares in England will have gone up by more than inflation for 10 successive years, resulting in some of the most expensive train journeys in Europe, our correspondent adds.The latest rise will mean fares in England will have gone up by more than inflation for 10 successive years, resulting in some of the most expensive train journeys in Europe, our correspondent adds.
One disgruntled passenger told the BBC: "I don't think it's good value for money at all. Every train I get in the morning you either have to stand up, or you can't get in."
Stephen Joseph, from passengers' group the Campaign for Better Transport, said rail fares could rise three times faster than salaries if the government sticks to its policy.Stephen Joseph, from passengers' group the Campaign for Better Transport, said rail fares could rise three times faster than salaries if the government sticks to its policy.
"With the economy flatlining, this is untenable. The government knows they can't continue to hit commuters - that's why they've postponed the fuel duty increase," he said, as activists from the group prepared to protest against the anticipated increases at London's Waterloo station."With the economy flatlining, this is untenable. The government knows they can't continue to hit commuters - that's why they've postponed the fuel duty increase," he said, as activists from the group prepared to protest against the anticipated increases at London's Waterloo station.
"Now they need to give the same help to rail users.""Now they need to give the same help to rail users."
The group said commuters across the country routinely spend between 5% and 10% of their salary getting to work. In some towns in south-east England, it said they spent up to 15%.The group said commuters across the country routinely spend between 5% and 10% of their salary getting to work. In some towns in south-east England, it said they spent up to 15%.
Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: "It has been government policy during the past eight years for passengers to pay a larger share of the cost of operating the railways and to focus taxpayers' money on investing in longer-term improvements to the network.Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: "It has been government policy during the past eight years for passengers to pay a larger share of the cost of operating the railways and to focus taxpayers' money on investing in longer-term improvements to the network.
"Any flexibility train companies have within the rules is to maximise revenue for the government.""Any flexibility train companies have within the rules is to maximise revenue for the government."
Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers said that the fare increases were necessary in the short-term to achieve the government's long-term goal of bringing down the cost of running railways.
"In the longer term we are determined to get rid of these above-inflation fare rises all together," she said.
"But in the meantime I'm afraid these fare rises are going to be necessary in order to help us deliver a rail investment programme at a time when the deficit means public spending needs to be constrained," she added.
Olympics bounce?Olympics bounce?
Forecasts for July's Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation measure suggest it will remain unchanged from 2.8%, or dip slightly.Forecasts for July's Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation measure suggest it will remain unchanged from 2.8%, or dip slightly.
The rate of inflation has fallen sharply from September last year, when the RPI stood at 5.6%.The rate of inflation has fallen sharply from September last year, when the RPI stood at 5.6%.
This is partly due to falling petrol prices, but also a slowdown in the increase in the price of clothes and food.This is partly due to falling petrol prices, but also a slowdown in the increase in the price of clothes and food.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI), a broader measure of inflation used by the government, stood at 2.4% in June.The Consumer Prices Index (CPI), a broader measure of inflation used by the government, stood at 2.4% in June.
The slowing of inflation means it is heading back towards the Bank of England's target rate of 2%. This means the Bank has more leeway when considering further stimulus measures to boost economic growth.The slowing of inflation means it is heading back towards the Bank of England's target rate of 2%. This means the Bank has more leeway when considering further stimulus measures to boost economic growth.
Last month, the Bank said it would pump a further £50bn into the economy over the next four months through quantitative easing (QE), taking the total size of the programme to £375bn.Last month, the Bank said it would pump a further £50bn into the economy over the next four months through quantitative easing (QE), taking the total size of the programme to £375bn.
But earlier this month, the Bank decided not to pump more money into the economy, despite figures released at the end of July showing that the UK economy contracted by 0.7% between April and June.But earlier this month, the Bank decided not to pump more money into the economy, despite figures released at the end of July showing that the UK economy contracted by 0.7% between April and June.
Some economists expect the economy to bounce back in the current quarter, helped in part by a short-term boost from the Olympic Games.Some economists expect the economy to bounce back in the current quarter, helped in part by a short-term boost from the Olympic Games.
This, they say, could come from a small uplift in consumer spending and from ticket sales, which will be recorded in the third quarter.This, they say, could come from a small uplift in consumer spending and from ticket sales, which will be recorded in the third quarter.
Are you expecting to have to pay more for your commute? How are you going to combat any rise? Get in touch with your comments and experiences.Are you expecting to have to pay more for your commute? How are you going to combat any rise? Get in touch with your comments and experiences.