A transport group has criticised the government over the way it sets train fares, as new year price increases came into effect today (January 2).
Overall rail prices in England and Wales have risen by 2.2 per cent while fares regulated by the government, which include season tickets and some inter-city routes, have gone up by 2.5 per cent on average.
The Campaign for Better Transport condemned the fare rises and called for the government to change track on its policy for setting rail prices.
Martin Abrams, the group’s public transport campaigner, said: "The government has pushed up many rail fares by over 20 per cent since 2010 and their policy could stretch the gap between fares and wages even more in future years.
“Everyone who relies on the trains for work or leisure is looking for action to end the price hikes and get fares down.
“The government should start by reforming the discredited way it calculates future commuter fares and get on with introducing part-time and flexible season tickets, where progress has been mind numbingly slow."
But the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents rail operators and track manager Network Rail, said that 2015’s rises were the “lowest for five years”.
Michael Roberts, RDG’s director general, said: “We understand no one likes to pay more, especially to go to work. For every pound spent on fares, 97p goes on track, train, staff and other costs, while 3p goes in profits earned by train companies for running services on Europe’s fastest-growing railway.”
An investigation has been launched into the problems at Kings Cross and Paddington last week when both stations had to be closed due to over-running engineering work over Christmas.
“We are very sorry that many passengers experienced a service well short of what they deserved last weekend,” added Roberts.
“To ensure we build a better railway, Network Rail is spending £38bn over five years alongside commitments made by train companies. This will deliver more seats, better stations and improved journeys for passengers.”
RDG said that the average price of a season ticket in 2015 would be £2,386, which the group said was equivalent to £4.97 per journey over the course of a year.