From January 2018, many rail fares will rise by 3.6 per cent – thanks to the high rate of inflation in July this year. The EU referendum vote leading to a slump in the value of the pound has caused much stir in the economic condition and the tourism industry is no different. July’s Retail Price Index (RPI) is the measure by which train operators are allowed to increase “regulated” fares. Broadly, these are standard class weekly season tickets in England and Wales, most commuter fares in and around London, and off-peak returns.
The prices of a weekly season ticket from Brighton to London will rise by £3.80 from £104.60 to £108.40. An off-peak return between Manchester and Birmingham will go up by £1.30 from £37.10 to £38.40. An annual season ticket from Winchester to London will top £5,000 for the first time, going from £4,952 to £5,130 – an increase of £178.
The rise will be the highest since 2013 and will affect the commuters’ regular cost of transportation in the next year. The Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, Stephen Joseph, said that they want the Government to bring in a fares freeze for January. Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators and Network Rail, said: “Money from fares pays to run and improve the railway, making journeys better, boosting the economy, creating skilled jobs and supporting communities across Britain, and politicians set increases to season tickets. It’s also the case that many major rail industry costs rise directly in line with RPI.”
Similar rise in the fares will be faced by the Scottish travellers during the off-peak season as the government in Holyrood has a cap of RPI minus one per cent.
