Rail fare increase means more misery for Rochdale commuters

Castleton Railway Station

A huge rise in rail fares was announced at the start of the year - and with Rochdale’s commuters back at work the full cost of this is now being felt.

Travelling from Rochdale to Manchester Victoria with a monthly ticket now costs more than £100 after a 4.3% rise on last year.

A day return between the two stations has risen to £7.50 too for those travelling at peak times without concessions, having cost just £6.30 five years ago - a total increase of nearly 20%.

The £6.30 fare is now only just enough to reach Castleton - one station nearer - for which a peak time return ticket broke the six pound barrier for the first time at £6.10.

To compound the misery for commuters from Rochdale, tickets to Manchester Victoria are more expensive than the equivalent journey from Bolton - despite Rochdale being 0.1 miles closer.

“The recent increase in rail fares has made the plight of season ticket holders from Rochdale compared with those from Bolton even more unfair,” said Richard Greenwood, Chairman of Support the Oldham Rochdale Manchester lines (STORM).

“Bolton is actually further away from Victoria station yet the monthly season ticket is only £91.10, whilst passengers from Rochdale pay £103. The yearly season ticket prices are £948 and £1,072 respectively.

“Fair's fair and this isn't fair.”

Northern Rail PR Manager Joselyn Rankin explained prices are based on variety of different things, not just mileage however.

“We do control these fares,” she said. “However fares across the UK network are not based on mileage alone.

“They reflect many factors; network capacity, competition from other modes of travel, end-to-end journey times, quality of service etc.

Northern Rail also insisted train travel still provided better value for money than other modes of transport.

“Travelling with Northern is often cheaper and quicker than the car or the bus for similar journeys, and will remain so in 2013 and beyond,” a Northern spokesperson said.

“Despite these changes, the cost of our average journey will remain just £2.24.

“Money raised through fares goes on to invest in improvements to stations, trains and services.

“We understand that these are difficult financial times for our customers, which is why we will continue to work with the Government and the wider rail industry to drive down the cost of running the railway to provide better long-term value for money for passengers and taxpayers.”

Selected new fares for peak time travel from Rochdale, if booked on the day, are listed below.*

Rochdale to Manchester, Day Return: £7.50
Rochdale to Manchester, Monthly Ticket: £103
Rochdale to Manchester, Weekly Pass: £26.80
Rochdale to Leeds, Day Return: £13.70
Rochdale to Liverpool, Day Return: £20.70
Rochdale to York, Day Return: £41.20
Manchester to London, Single: £154

*Taken from National Rail Fare Finder