UK rail fares on long distance routes rise 71% in 10 years

Rail fares on long distance routes in the UK have risen by an average of 71.2 per cent in the past 10 years despite patchy service and poor punctuality.

On key commuter routes in London and the south east, fares rose by 62.4 per cent between 2004 and 2015, according to data from the Office of Road and Rail Regulation published on Thursday. Regional fares, including Scotland, rose by 62.4 per cent during the past decade.

The disclosure comes amid continuing anger over the price and quality of rail travel across the UK. Britain has the most expensive rail fares in Europe and recent ORR figures showed that half of commuter trains arrived late every day.

In a move to win over vocal rail commuters, who regularly complain about rising ticket prices, the Conservatives have pledged a continued freeze on regulated rail fares over the course of the next parliament. This covers season tickets and commuter routes but transport campaigners claim that rail operators have been increasing unregulated fares to make up for the shortfall.

First Great Western, which runs trains out of Paddington station in London to the west of England and south Wales, is under fire for a decision to raise fares on some routes by up to 87 per cent from Monday.

In the run up to the election the prime minister intervened to ask First Group, which runs the service, to review the decision. The route between London and the Cotswolds passes through his Witney constituency and passengers travelling from Charlbury, the Oxfordshire station nearest to his constituency home, will face a near doubling in the off-peak return fare to the capital from £33.30 to £62.40. FirstGroup said it would bring ticket prices into line with other fares on the network.

Martin Abrams, of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "The government's election pledge to end above inflation train fare increases is a step in the right direction but the danger now is that this will lead to a perceived revenue shortfall for both government and the train operating companies, meaning more stealth increases to unregulated fares."

Boris Johnson, the London mayor, has also promised a real-term freeze of all Transport for London fares during his final year as London mayor. The same freeze has been in place for the past two years.

Christian Wolmar, the transport expert who is hoping to be Labour's candidate for London mayor, said: "Above inflation rail fares have become as toxic politically as road fuel taxes. The new government will not be able to continue the policy of above inflation train fares which risk cutting off growth in the rail sector."

The ORR figures come just days after an overwhelming majority of Network Rail's 16,000 staff voted for a walkout, raising the possibility of the first national train strike since privatisation. Employees are angered by an offer of a £500 bonus payment but no pay rise this year at the same time as senior executives at the infrastructure operator are among the highest paid civil servants.

Mark Carne, chief executive of Network Rail, who earns £675,000 a year, was forced to relinquish his £34,000 bonus at Christmas after services were severely disrupted.

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