Atoc press statement in full

Rail fares are to rise by an average of nearly 5 per cent in the New Year with some commuters in the South East being forced to pay 14.5 per cent more for unregulated fares.

The rises, all above the rate of inflation, triggered an immediate outcry from unions and passenger groups who accused rail firms of daylight robbery and holding commuters “to ransom”. The Government was also criticised for failing to prevent the increases.

Regulated fares, including season tickets, savers and standard day returns will go up by an average of 4.8 per cent on January 2, while unregulated prices such as cheap day returns, long distance open and advance fares, will increase by 5.4 per cent.

Some commuters in the South East of England, particularly in Kent, will see their weekly fare rise by 14.5 per cent, it was revealed.

Most train firms said the average cost of regulated fares will rise by 4.8 per cent, although it will be 6.8 per cent on Southeastern, 5 per cent on First TransPennine Express routes and 3.8 per cent on the Gatwick Express.

Unregulated fares will rise by an average of 7 per cent on CrossCountry and East Midlands Trains routes, 6.8 per cent on routes run by the one train company, 6.1 per cent on First Great Western and 4.3 per cent on South West Trains.

Atoc (the Association of Train Operating Companies) said in a statement: “The small increase in average rail fares partly reflects the fact that over half of tickets sold are price-regulated by the Government, but also because many passengers now choose to use discounted fares such as advance purchase tickets, which offer significant reductions compared to full-price tickets.

“The relatively low increase in average rail fares has been a factor in the enormous growth in rail travel seen over the past 10 years, with 42 per cent more passengers using the rail network. Passenger numbers are now higher than at any time since 1946."

Now prices had to rise to pay for investment in rail infrastructure, Atoc continued. “More than £800 million is now being spent on new and refurbished trains on CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, First Great Western, First ScotRail, First TransPennine Express, GNER (shortly to become National Express East Coast), London Midland, Northern Rail, one Railway and South West Trains.

“Further investment is being committed to improve stations, including refurbished ticket offices, better waiting rooms, toilets and facilities for disabled people. It also provides for new ticket machines, information systems, closed circuit television and an increased number of car parking spaces.”

George Muir, director general of Atoc, said: “We need the revenue from fares to pay for investment in the railway for the benefit of passengers.

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