06.12.13
Fare rise cut to 3.1% - Autumn Statement
A planned increase for regulated rail fares will be cut, Chancellor George Osborne announced in his autumn statement yesterday.
Regulated fares in England were due to rise by an average of 4.1% in January, but will now increase by 3.1%. Train operators will be able to increase certain tickets by 5.1%, as the ‘flex’ is reduced to 2%.
In Wales, the average rise remains at RPI+1%.
The speech also set out a trial of flexible rail season ticketing in the South East for part-time commuters.
Michael Roberts, director general of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “This is good news for commuters. We strongly support the government’s decision to scrap January’s above inflation average increase in season tickets and other regulated fares. This will encourage even more passengers to travel by rail, helping to sustain already significant investment in more trains, faster services and better stations.”
Railfuture’s Bruce Williamson said: “We welcome the postponement of the inflation-busting rail fare increases planned for next January, which is something we have been campaigning on, but it is only a postponement.
“What happens in 2015? Meanwhile, by freezing fuel duty for motorists, the Chancellor is again showing that he treats the rail passenger unfairly compared to motorists. Rail fares will still go up by the RPI figure of 3.1% on average, with some fares going up by more than this.”
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