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| Rail fare increase for 2015 to be revealed | Rail fare increase for 2015 to be revealed |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Rail passengers will learn on Tuesday how much their fares will go up by in January next year, amid protests about the high cost of tickets. | Rail passengers will learn on Tuesday how much their fares will go up by in January next year, amid protests about the high cost of tickets. |
| The rise is set by adding 1% to July's figure for Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation, due to be announced later. | The rise is set by adding 1% to July's figure for Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation, due to be announced later. |
| It will take the total increase in fares to about 25% since the coalition came into power in 2010, says the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT). | It will take the total increase in fares to about 25% since the coalition came into power in 2010, says the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT). |
| Labour said rail fares in the UK were already among the highest in Europe. | Labour said rail fares in the UK were already among the highest in Europe. |
| The rise includes season tickets. Most season tickets are "regulated" - that is, prices are set by the government. | |
| Michael Roberts, director general of the Rail Delivery Group, said that although rail fares had increased above inflation for a decade, the number of passengers had seen "phenomenal growth". | |
| "Compared with fifteen years ago, we're now carrying twice as many passengers as we did then," he said, but added that rail services were partly a "victim of that success" because there was now overcrowding on some major services. | |
| However, he said that the level of customer satisfaction with the railways had "steadily increased", and that an EU-wide customer survey had shown UK passengers were among the most satisfied in Europe. | |
| Money raised from fare increases would be re-invested in rail infrastructure, a rail expert said. | |
| Rail journalist Philip Haigh said that although the government raises more money through fare prices, it is then put back into the network. | |
| 'Inflation-busting fares' | 'Inflation-busting fares' |
| If RPI stays at its June 2014 level of 2.6%, fares will increase by about 3.6%. | If RPI stays at its June 2014 level of 2.6%, fares will increase by about 3.6%. |
| But under a "flex" rule, train companies can raise fares by 2% above the average, as long as the overall average stays at RPI plus 1%, so some fares could increase by 5.6% next year. | But under a "flex" rule, train companies can raise fares by 2% above the average, as long as the overall average stays at RPI plus 1%, so some fares could increase by 5.6% next year. |
| The CBT said that since 2010, wages had risen by 6.9%, while fares had risen by 24%. | The CBT said that since 2010, wages had risen by 6.9%, while fares had risen by 24%. |
| Last year the government capped regulated rail fares to rise in line with inflation. | |
| However, shadow minister for transport Mary Creagh said: "David Cameron has failed to stand up for working people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. | |
| "He's allowed train companies to sting passengers with inflation-busting fare rises of over 20% since 2010, costing them hundreds of pounds." | "He's allowed train companies to sting passengers with inflation-busting fare rises of over 20% since 2010, costing them hundreds of pounds." |
| 'Priced off' trains | 'Priced off' trains |
| She said the Conservatives had "botched" the privatisation of the railways. | She said the Conservatives had "botched" the privatisation of the railways. |
| During a speech in London later, Ms Creagh will add: "Our rail fares are among the highest in Europe. Rail passengers rightly feel ripped off when they are uncertain if they paid the lowest fare." | During a speech in London later, Ms Creagh will add: "Our rail fares are among the highest in Europe. Rail passengers rightly feel ripped off when they are uncertain if they paid the lowest fare." |
| She said Labour would impose a "strict cap" on rail fares, removing the "flex" arrangement. | She said Labour would impose a "strict cap" on rail fares, removing the "flex" arrangement. |
| Public transport campaigner at CBT Martin Abrams said the cost of taking the train to work had become a "huge part" of living costs. | Public transport campaigner at CBT Martin Abrams said the cost of taking the train to work had become a "huge part" of living costs. |
| He added: "If the government doesn't put an end to above-inflation fare increases quickly, ordinary commuters will be priced off the train and could be forced into agonising decisions, such as moving house or quitting their jobs." | He added: "If the government doesn't put an end to above-inflation fare increases quickly, ordinary commuters will be priced off the train and could be forced into agonising decisions, such as moving house or quitting their jobs." |