Rail fare rises are ‘treble rate of inflation’
RAIL fares have more than trebled since privatisation, according to union bosses.
Top rises are more than three times the 77 per cent inflation rate since the rail sell-off 20 years ago.
The TSSA union said the top rise was 246 per cent – from £57 to £197 – for First Great Western on a peak, walk-on return from London to Bristol.
In second place was a 243 per cent rise – from £96 to £329 – for a return fare from London to Manchester at any time.
Expert Barry Doe said the 10 most popular routes had risen at least 141 per cent for walk-on and any time returns.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “The private rail industry has taken all the gain while passengers have suffered all the pain.”
But industry body the Rail Delivery Group accused TSSA of picking only the costliest fares.
A spokesman said: “Passenger numbers have almost doubled over the same period, contributing to a fivefold increase in money going back to government to reinvest in a better railway.”
