Next Gen News

will increase on average by 5.9% in January - more than the inflation rate

will raise the inflation-busting 5.9% next year, the railways have announced, prompting complaints from groups of passengers that customers deserve a better deal.

The average increase for all fares including season tickets is higher than the index of the current retail price (RPI) measure of inflation, which was 5.2% in November and is a common benchmark for wage settlements. The measure is the average price of a ticket on long-haul routes to £ 21.18.

The Director General of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), Michael Roberts, said. "The money raised through fees help pay for new trains, stations better and faster approach of the government to maintain investment in the long railway is to reduce the contribution of taxpayers and increase the share paid by the passengers. The industry is working to further reduce costs as a way to help limit increases in future rates and provide better value for taxpayers' money in the long run. "

rail presents a political dilemma for the Government because ministers are determined to reduce the 5 billion pounds a year, the state places on the network. However, they must raise rates in the passenger transport in the central areas of the government coalition, which led to the Chancellor in a statement announcing the fall of November that the increase in season tickets is limited to 6% the next year instead of 8% as previously announced in the spending review of the coalition in 2010.

But despite George Osborne, consumer groups have attacked the announcement of a claimed 5.9% of the passengers deserve better. Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus Executive Director, said: "The average increase of 6% is not reflected in wages for most people the passengers will now have to look at the details to know what is happening in their individual itineraries

"The focus is really on the railways and the rail network to keep its promise on performance and overcrowding. We passengers are paying our fair share and we want and deserve better. "

regulated tariffs, which are covered by the government, are paid more passenger trips and fares low season in most long distance trains. Fees not covered include tickets in advance and the rate of incidents during peak hours.

is regulated rates are increasing, according to the formula of the Government of CPI inflation (as measured in July), plus one percentage point, while individual companies at rates rail regulated prices. They have not revealed their higher price, but is believed to be less than the rate increases.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport said: "The Government acknowledges the pressure on family budgets is why we have announced that 2012 rail tickets will increase by a regulated rate of inflation plus 1%, no more than 3.% as shown in the review. "