Rail fares in England and Wales have increased by nearly 5%, sparking concerns among campaigners who argue that cash-strapped passengers are being priced out of using the railways.
Critics have lambasted the fare hikes, especially considering the high levels of service cancellations and disruptions caused by rail strikes.
The UK already has the most expensive train tickets in Europe, even before the recent increases. Regulated rail fares in England and Wales, including season tickets and certain off-peak return tickets, have been capped at 4.9%. Additionally, the Scottish Government plans to increase ScotRail fares by 8.7% from April 1st.
Rail advocacy groups like Railfuture and Campaign for Better Transport have criticised the fare hikes, stating that they will deter people from using trains and push them towards driving or flying, which could have negative impacts on personal finances, the economy, and the environment.
Labour’s shadow transport secretary, Louise Haigh, condemned the fare increase, highlighting the deterioration of rail services and the disproportionate rise in fares compared to wages since 2010.
Rail minister Huw Merriman defended the government’s approach, stating that fare increases were below inflation and aimed to balance the financial burden between taxpayers and fare payers. However, some argue that the fare hikes are not in line with the broader economic indicators, with the Retail Prices Index showing 9% inflation last July, while the more commonly used Consumer Prices Index fell to 4% in January from 6.8% in July 2023.