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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Neil Lancefield

Rail fares set to increase by average of 2.7% in January - but passengers say tickets aren't value for money

Rail fares will rise by an average of 2.6% on January 2 - despite the fact passengers are already unhappy with how much tickets cost.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) has revealed the fare rise and hailed the fact that the average increase will be below inflation.

But some long-distance commuters could see their annual costs rise by more than £100.

Meanwhile passenger groups said travellers weren't satisfied those fares offered value for money and urged delayed travellers to make sure they claimed all the compensation they are due.

Passengers will be able to check fare rises for particular journeys from Saturday morning.

Some 45% of fares, including season tickets, have their price rises regulated by the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments. Train companies decide other fare rises.

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the RDG, said: "We understand that no one wants to pay more to travel, which is why train companies have for the third year in a row held the average fare increases below inflation while still investing to improve journeys.

"Passengers will benefit from 1,000 extra, improved train carriages and over 1,000 extra weekly services in 2020.

"The industry will continue to push for changes to fares regulations to enable a better range of affordable, mix and match fares and reduced overcrowding on some of the busiest routes."

Watchdog Transport Focus said just 47% of passengers were satisfied with the value for money of their train tickets.

Network Rail data showed only 65% of trains arrived at their scheduled station stops within one minute of the timetable in the past year.

Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: "We speak to hundreds of thousands of passengers each year and we know that less than half feel they get value for money.

"After a year of patchy performance, passengers just want a consistent day-to-day service they can rely on and a better chance of getting a seat.

"Transport Focus has long called for a fares system that is simple to use, easy to understand and is flexible enough to cater to how people work and travel today.

"As fares rise passengers must make their voice heard and call on operators to deliver a better service. Passengers should claim compensation every time they are delayed to help offset the cost of the fares rise and make delay pay."

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