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Rail fare rise unrelated to improvement in service, says passenger group Rail fare rise unrelated to improvement in service, says passenger group
(about 7 hours later)
A rail passenger group has complained that planned fare rises this week are being imposed despite "no perceptible improvement in services". A rail passenger group has complained that fare rises on Wednesday are being imposed despite no perceptible improvement in services. The average season ticket increase of 4.2% is the 10th above-inflation increase in a row, said the Railfuture group.
The average season ticket increase of 4.2%, which takes effect on Wednesday, is the 10th above-inflation increase in a row, said the Railfuture group. The Association of Train Operating Companies has said the overall average rise, including non-season tickets, will be 3.9%, with some fares going up less. But with some non-season-ticket unregulated fares allowed to be increased by an unlimited amount, Railfuture said that some fares could rise by 11% or 12%.
The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) has said that the overall average rise, including non-season tickets, will be 3.9%, with some fares going up less. Railfuture spokesman Bruce Williamson said: "Yet again, rail fares go up with no perceptible improvement in service. Over the last 10 years, fares have increased by more than 50% – much more than people's incomes."
But with some non-season ticket unregulated fares allowed to be increased by an unlimited amount, Railfuture said some fares could be going up by around 11% or 12%. This year regulated fares, which include season tickets, can be increased by the RPI inflation rate plus 1%, with the figure based on what the rate was in July, giving the average figure of 4.2%.
Railfuture spokesman Bruce Williamson said: "Yet again, rail fares go up with no perceptible improvement in service. "Meanwhile, petrol tax is frozen and overall the cost of driving remains static," Williamson said. "How does this help persuade people out of their cars and ease congestion? Where is the green policy?
"Over the last 10 years, fares have increased by more than 50% – much more than people's incomes." "The train operating companies may say they need the money for improvements, but how much fare income is actually spent on improvements? Fares income is not ringfenced for anything.
This year regulated fares, which include season tickets, can be increased by the RPI inflation rate plus 1%, with the figure based on what the rate was in July.
This gives the average figure of 4.2%.
"Meanwhile, petrol tax is frozen and overall the cost of driving remains static," Williamson added. "How does this help persuade people out of their cars and ease congestion? Where is the green policy?
"The train operating companies may say that they need the money for improvements, but how much fare income is actually spent on improvements? Fares income is not ringfenced for anything.
"If you look at how much money is being paid back to the government in the form of corporation tax, fuel tax (which airlines don't have to pay), industrial buildings tax and so forth, you have to ask whether raising fares above inflation is really necessary.""If you look at how much money is being paid back to the government in the form of corporation tax, fuel tax (which airlines don't have to pay), industrial buildings tax and so forth, you have to ask whether raising fares above inflation is really necessary."
Williamson said most passengers would consider it reasonable that there is a correlation between the level of fares and the service they get.Williamson said most passengers would consider it reasonable that there is a correlation between the level of fares and the service they get.
He said: "Our fares are the highest in Europe – do we have the best rail service in Europe? Of course, there are some heavily discounted advance tickets to be had, but people want to just turn up and go at a reasonable price when it suits them.He said: "Our fares are the highest in Europe – do we have the best rail service in Europe? Of course, there are some heavily discounted advance tickets to be had, but people want to just turn up and go at a reasonable price when it suits them.
"Discounting advance tickets is a way of managing passengers to suit the needs of the railway. I think we should be managing the railway to suit the needs of the passengers.""Discounting advance tickets is a way of managing passengers to suit the needs of the railway. I think we should be managing the railway to suit the needs of the passengers."
From Wednesday, fares are also going up by an average of 4.2% on the capital's underground and buses.From Wednesday, fares are also going up by an average of 4.2% on the capital's underground and buses.
The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Further investment on the transport network will help us to provide faster, more frequent and reliable journeys for Londoners and is crucial to the economic development and growth that is so vital to our great city."The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Further investment on the transport network will help us to provide faster, more frequent and reliable journeys for Londoners and is crucial to the economic development and growth that is so vital to our great city."