Rail passengers ‘face largest fare hike in a decade’

Train tickets could rise by an average of 4.8 per cent in 2022

Rail passengers could see their ticket prices rise by 4.8 per cent next year – the largest rise in a decade – despite calls for fares to be frozen.

The cap on the annual increase in most regulated rail fares is normally linked to the previous July’s Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation. On Wednesday the Office for National Statistics confirmed the figure would be 3.8 per cent for July 2021.

Regulated train fares – for season tickets, peak journeys around big cities and off-peak returns – are set by the government. Fares are usually increased every January but the coronavirus pandemic meant this year’s increase was delayed until 1 March.

Traditionally fares have risen in line with RPI. No announcement has yet been made on what will happen to fares next year, but ticket prices in England and Wales rose by an average of around 2.6. per cent, representing RPI for July 2020 plus one percentage point.

A repeat of this policy next year would see fares rise by an average of 4.8 per cent, making it the largest increase since 2012.

The UK, Scottish and Welsh governments regulate rises for around half of fares, including season tickets on most commuter routes, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance journeys, and tickets for travel around major cities at any time.

Pressure group Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) believes fares should be frozen to encourage passengers to return. It has also demanded reforms to the fares system to be prioritised in the ongoing overhaul of Britain’s railways.

Paul Tuohy, the group’s chief executive, said: “In the face of a climate emergency, the government should be doing everything it can to encourage people to choose low-carbon public transport by making it the cheapest option, not hiking rail fares.”

Robert Nisbet, director of nations and regions at industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Now, more than ever, it is government that controls changes to rail fares and it has yet to decide what will happen next year.

“While government rightly decides the balance between how much farepayers and taxpayers contribute to running the railway, any decision should be viewed against the decade-long freeze in fuel duty and government proposals to cut air passenger duty for domestic flights. Getting people out of cars and planes is essential to meet net zero targets.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “No decision has been made on national rail fares. The government is considering a variety of options and we will announce our decision in due course.”