In what should come as no surprise to any user of the UK Rail network, prices are on the rise again.
The proposed average rise in England will be inflation plus 3% (based on the Retail Price Index in July 2012 at 3.2% + 3%) gives an average rise of 6.2% across most services in England as well as cross border services into Wales and Scotland.
Services within Scotland will be subject to a lower price rise (based on the Retail Price Index in July 2012 at 3.2% + 1%), giving an average rise of 4.2% on tickets.
And these rises are for what are called “Regulated Fares” (and trust me finding out what is called a regulated fare is a black art in itself):
- Commuter fares (weekly, monthly and season tickets) in standard class
- Short-distance walk-up fares in commuter areas
- Long-distance Off-Peak fares
Of course, this is open to interpretation by train companies. How they wish to interprite this directly impacts on how much you’ll be pulling out of your pocket. There are also variations that allow an additional 5% increase on certain routes provided some routes have a price cut.
For other fare types, these are popped into the “Unregulated fares” section. These inculde:
- Anytime Single/Return
- Off Peak Day Single/Return
- Advance
- Super Off Peak
- First Class fares including seasons
- Rail Passes
These fare are subject to the whimsies of the Rail companies which can be risen whenever they like. Expect these to shoot up 6.2% and beyond.
Rail Minister Theresa Villiers says:
“In the longer term we are determined to get rid of these above-inflation fare rises all together”
“But in the meantime I’m afraid these fare rises are going to be necessary in order to help us deliver a rail investment programme at a time when the deficit means public spending needs to be constrained”
So the usual government spin saying it might improve one day, and open your wallet if you want to travel.
The Association of Train Operators bleats
“It has been government policy during the past eight years for passengers to pay a larger share of the cost of operating the railways and to focus taxpayers’ money on investing in longer-term improvements to the network.
“Any flexibility train companies have within the rules is to maximise revenue for the government.”
It also bleats that train companies only make 3p per Pound on a fare. However, if you to the mathematics, that’s still a lot of money.
Actual price rises have not been confirmed at this time – expect to see them to appear in November-December time.