Train fare increase: Is this UK’s most expensive long-distance ticket in price per mile?
The standard anytime fare between Watford Junction and Rugby is set to rise to 95p a mile
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Is this Britain’s most expensive long-distance rail ticket in terms of price per mile? The Independent has calculated that, from 2 January, the cost of a standard anytime fare for the 65 miles between Watford Junction and Rugby in Warwickshire will rise to 95p a mile.
Passengers on the UK’s most expensive railway, the Heathrow Express, will see a 2.5 per cent increase in walk-up fares to £22 one way, which works out at £1.50 per mile for the 14.7 mile journey from London Paddington to Britain's busiest airport. Travellers who buy tickets on the train pay an extra £5.
Great Western Railway, which has faced much criticism for its poor service this year, will increase the fare for its 15-minute hop from Swindon to Didcot to £22.20 - a per-mile rate of 92.5p.
On Virgin Trains’ east coast routes, some fares are not increasing: London-Leeds stays at £112, and the £1-a-minute link between Stevenage and Newark remains at £63.
Another feature of the fare rises that take place on 2 January is that for some journeys, the day-return fare is virtually the same as a one-week season ticket. Between Warrington and Milton Keynes, for example, an anytime return ticket suitable for a business traveller on a day trip will cost £205. A seven-day season costs just 10 pence more.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments