Rail commuters are outraged as the so called ‘green’ government backed an above-inflation rail fair rise for already overpriced, overcrowded trains. Fares are expected to rise at least 8%.
The formula for fare increases is usually RPI inflation plus 1%, but for the next three years it is RPI plus 3%.
Rail minister Theresa Villiers said passengers were being asked to pay more for the next three years so that the government could “deliver a massive programme of rail upgrades.” However, Villiers was less than impressive while trying to defend the shocking rise in a BBC interview.
Rail fares for Londoners are also set to rise by up to 13% from January 2012, thanks to government changes to the rules on annual fare rise.
“These massive fare rises will be a disaster for people already struggling with rising costs, and risk pricing those on lower incomes out of jobs,” said Alexandra Woodsworth of the Campaign for Better Transport, who was protesting against the fare rises at Waterloo station today.
It is feared that some people will be priced out of being able to work.
Every New Year, train companies are allowed to push up fares based on the inflation rate published the previous August. Today, that figure was 5%.
Previously, the rule was that companies could only increase fares by 1% more than inflation, which would have seen bad-enough rises of 6% next year. But the current government raised the fare-hike limit to inflation-plus-3%, allowing for rises of 8% in early 2012. It also allows for rises of up to 8% above inflation on some routes, giving the 13% figure.
A 13% hike would see the current cost – £3832 – of an annual season ticket from Brighton to London rise to £4291.
The government blamed its lack of finances for the rail fare hike. Rail companies are subsidised by the government, which means unhappy commuters pay for it both through their taxes and when they pay for their fares.
Rail travel is notoriously bad in the UK. Rail journeys from London to Glasgow cost from £100-170 before these rises with trains often so overcrowded, it is usually standing room only. London is not much better, with people paying more money than anywhere else in Europe to ride in a carriage with no air conditioning and in worse conditions than a sardine in a can. Trying to get anywhere on the weekend is worse, as most lines are having maintenance, causing huge service disruption.
The Coalition government has promised to be a ‘green’ government, but rail fares are now so expensive that it is cheaper to fly, I know a number of people who do. Not so green after all.