Rail fare increase: Critics bash 1.1% price hike as 'national scandal'

More expensive train fares came into effect on Monday (January 4) as commuters made their way back to work after the holiday period.

Train tickets will now see an increase of 1.1% compared to last year's prices, meaning that you'll be spending an extra 1p for every £1 you spend.

While this may not sound like much, if you're the commuter type to buy an annual ticket, you'll likely be hit with a noticeable increase.

For example, an annual rail season ticket from Reading to Paddington excluding a zones 1-6 travelcard will now cost you £4228, compared to £4188 last year.

When the increase was announced last month, Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group said: “We know that nobody likes to pay more to travel by train, especially to get to work, and at 1.1 per cent this is the smallest average increase in fares for six years.

“On average 97p in every pound from fares is spent on trains, staff and other running costs. With passenger numbers doubling in the last 20 years, money from fares now almost covers the railway’s day-to-day operating costs."

Criticism

The 1.1% average increase has been criticised by unions and the Shadow Transport Secretary.

Rail unions aren't happy with the fare increase, which is reportedly the smallest since January 2010, with one union claiming the increase is a 'national scandal'.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Profiteering and exploitation on Britain's creaking rail network is a national scandal.

“Passengers are left paying through the nose to travel on unreliable and overcrowded services. Meanwhile, vast profits are being bled from our railways with huge amounts siphoned off by European state rail companies to subsidise their own domestic rail operations.

“It's about time we had a British state rail operation run in our interests.”

Shadow Transport Secretary Lilian Greenwood hit out against the increase in rail fares saying that it is 'truly staggering'.

“Out-of-touch ministers talk about delivering ‘fair fares for comfortable commuting’.

“But this is a world away from the overcrowded carriages and unreliable services that are increasingly characterising our network.

“Passengers were always told that higher fares were necessary to fund investment, but vital projects have been delayed by years and essential maintenance works have been put on hold.

“The truth is our heavily fragmented railways mean it takes years longer and costs much more than it should to deliver basic improvements.”

How can I save money on rail travel?

Believe it or not, you can easily save a heap of cash when travelling by train, if you're savvy.

First up, If you're eligible for a railcard, get one!

These are available for anyone under 26, over 60, disabled or with a family (discounts only if you travel with at least one child).

Cards only cost £30 and with them you can save a third of the price on adult tickets and 60% on children’s fares.

Some ticket sellers change price depending on when you buy them, so be savvy and book in advance.

Buying early can save you a huge amount on the price of a train fare, whether for single trips or even as a regular commuter.

The best advice seems to be to start looking about 12 weeks in advance, and you could see savings of as much as 80% on the cost of travel.

If you can't book 10 weeks in advance, you can still make big savings by booking even just a week early, so if you have any journeys planned, now is the time to check.