UK train companies confirm fare changes for 2011
Train fares will rise by an average of 6.2% in January 2011, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) announces today.
According to the Office of Rail Regulation the average price paid for a single journey is currently £4.89; applying the 6.2% increase to this would see the average single fare rise to £5.19 in January.
ATOC says that above inflation fare rises are the result of a change in government policy in recent years which has sought to sustain investment in the railways by reducing the amount that taxpayers contribute and requiring passengers to pay more.
Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of ATOC said: “We know times are tough for many people but next year’s fare increases will ensure that Britain can continue investing in its railways.
“Even with these fare increases, the money passengers spend on fares covers only half the cost of running the railways – taxpayers make up the difference. The government is sticking with the previous administration’s policy to cut the taxpayers’ contribution to the overall cost of running the railways.
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“More and more people are travelling by train and demand is expected to double in the coming decades so it is more important than ever that money is spent on providing better stations, more trains and faster services. Money invested through fares has helped to bring about the record levels of customer satisfaction and punctuality on the railways today.
“But, in the longer term we need reform which drives down the cost of the railways by relying more heavily on the innovation and resources of the private sector to give passengers a better service and taxpayers better value for money.”