Commuters hit by fare increase

COMMUTERS were faced with an increase in fares this week.

The Department for Transport announced in December that regulated fares in England would rise by about 4.6 per cent.

These include season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance journeys and flexible tickets for travelling in and around cities.

Most railcards have also increased by £5, from about £30 but disabled railcards remain the same price.

The Government said fares needed to rise so it can invest in the rail system.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged that passengers were “frustrated” but said that is was her top priority to get the railways back to where travellers could rely on them by bringing operators into public ownership and creating new public sector body, Great British Railways to oversee train operations and rail infrastructure.

Based on an increase of 4.6 per cent, the cost of a Great Western Railway annual season ticket from Henley to London Paddington has risen from £4,770 to £4,992, based on at least five days a week usage.

An annual season ticket for the same usage from Henley to Reading has increased from about £1,451 to £1,516 per year, while the fare from Henley to Oxford rose from about £3,795 to £3,968.

Neil Gunnell, of passenger group Henley Trains, said with inflation, the increases are “hard to argue against” but that it is “heavy” for passengers.

Mr Gunnell, of Blandy Road, said: “It’s always heavy for passengers. UK rail fares are much more than in other countries but there have been a lot of delay problems between Paddington and Twyford because of aging infrastructure.

“We are hit disproportionately between these stations. There is a lot of work going on to renew that.”

A spokesman for Great Western Railway said: “Regulated rail fares are set by government and the money raised ensures investment in more trains, better stations and faster services.

“Over the past 10 years we have seen significant investment in the Great Western network, including the delivery of new high-speed trains and electrification of the line between London and Cardiff.

“We are also keen to rejuvenate our regional and suburban fleet to help improve punctuality and reliability for customers.”