Rail fares set to increase by 4.1%

Castleton Railway Station

Commuters could see an increase in the price they pay for their rail tickets in 2014.

The average increase in rail fares will be 4.1%, 1% higher than inflation, but train companies could raise prices on busy lines by up to 9.1%.

With the increasing number of people opting to use train services as their mode of travel, train companies say that the increase is vital in order to invest in better services that can cope with the growing demand.

A commuter from the Rochdale area, Jill Nagle said: “I heard about it on the news this morning. I use the trains regularly to get into Manchester and the service from Castleton isn’t too bad.

“Perhaps they could add extra carriages because often we do have to stand up because of all the people coming on the train from Leeds. As long as the money goes on the services then it might be good.”

This idea was supported by another commuter who hoped that the extra money would go towards improving the platform at the Castleton station.

He said: “The lack of a ticket machine here is a problem and the lack of a display sign that tells you whether the next train is on time. The train company know it needs doing but said that it was a matter of waiting for the funds for it.”

Transport unions such as RMT have disputed this claim, saying that the extra money gathered from fares will increase shareholder profits. According to RCT over the last decade rail fares have risen faster than house prices. They state that between 2004 and 2012 the average house price (for all types of dwelling in the UK) rose 36.7% - from £180,000 to £246,000. Yet in the decade to January 2013, rail fares increased by 57.7%.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow says: “This latest inflation-busting hike in fares is a kick in the teeth for the British people who are condemned for another year to pay the highest prices in Europe to travel on clapped-out, overcrowded and unreliable trains while the private operators are laughing all the way to the bank.

“Although the average figure is set at 4.1% the train operators will be able to get away with ramping up fares by nearly 9.2% on some services. That is simply pure extortion in the name of private profit.

“Anyone who thinks that this massive fares surcharge will be invested in our railways needs their head examined. This cash windfall will be siphoned straight into the pockets of the private train companies without touching the sides while they continue to bulldoze through cuts to staffing and safety. The stone cold case for public ownership of our railways to end this racketeering is now overwhelming.”

It is believed that over £1bn is lost each year due to the privatisation of railways - this is enough to reduce fares by 20%.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has this week written to the Shadow Transport Secretary urging Labour to support her Private Members’ Bill calling for the railways to be brought back into public ownership.

She said: “We have to put up with unreliable services, overcrowding, and some of the highest fares in Europe. Since the railways were sold off, the cost of train travel has risen by 17%. And in recent years, the cost to the taxpayer has more than doubled. Meanwhile, shareholders are generating huge profits.
“Passengers and taxpayers alike are being ripped off.

"By taking back individual franchises when they expire, or when companies fail to meet their conditions, the Government could save over £1 billion a year every year. This is money that could and should be reinvested in services, and also used to reduce fares.”