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RDG announces average 2.2% increase in rail fares for 2015

The average increase across 2015 rail fares will be 2.2%, the lowest for five years, the rail industry has confirmed.

The Rail Delivery Group figures have been released because fares for travel from 2 January 2015 are available to check and buy from today.

The ‘average’ figure released by RDG covers all fares, both regulated and non-regulated.

In September the government announced that regulated fares would be tied to Retail Price Inflation (RPI) rather than capped at RPI plus 1%. In the Autumn Statement the chancellor confirmed they would rise by 2.5% in January.

Regulated fares include season tickets, anytime fares around major cities and long-distance savers. Operators have more control over other fares, including off-peak journeys on city networks, advance fares and first class travel.

With regulated fares rising by 2.5% and the overall average being 2.2%, non-regulated fares set by operators will have increased by less. One TOC has announced a freeze on some fares for next year, with Southeastern keeping their super off-peak journeys at the same price.

East Midlands Trains has confirmed that their fares will rise by the less than the average with an increase of 1.3%. In addition all of their advance tickets and anytime fares to London are to remain frozen.

In comparison South West Trains will be increasing fares by 2.3%, a rate 0.1% higher than the average.

Michael Roberts, director general of the Rail Delivery Group which represents rail operators and Network Rail, said: “Money from fares goes towards running and maintaining the railway. This benefits not just passengers and businesses but communities across the country, by improving journeys, creating employment and helping to boost the economy.

“Over the next five years, Network Rail is spending on average £27m a day on a better railway, alongside commitments made by train companies to improve services.  That will mean more seats, better stations and improved journeys.

“For every pound spent on fares, 97p goes on track, train, staff and other costs while 3p goes in profits earned by train companies for running services on Europe’s fastest growing railway.

“The industry is continuing to work together to get more for every pound we invest to enable government to make fares decisions which work best for passengers.”

Governments in Scotland and Wales, and Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive, can set their own level for regulated fares. A rise of 2.5% has been confirmed by the Scottish government for 2015 peak fares, with off peak fares frozen for the second consecutive year.  The Welsh government has confirmed 2.5% for the fares it regulates as has Merseytravel.

Northern Ireland’s fares are set separately and have not risen since 2013.

(Image: c. Yui Mok/PA Wire)

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