Train fares could rise even higher than we thought – here’s how much

Rail fares in England could increase by 5.8% next year after new government figures showed inflation remains stubbornly high.

Regulated ticket prices are usually set based on July’s Retail Prices Index (RPI), one of the UK’s main inflation measures.

This year’s hike of 4.6% was one percentage point above the RPI figure for July 2024.

But this morning, it was announced that last month’s RPI was 4.8% – meaning if the same approach is taken, prices would rise by 5.8%.

The cost of a season ticket from Woking in Surrey, south-west of London, to the centre of the capital would increase by £247 to £4,507 as a result.

Last week, campaigners blasted a potential 5.5% rise in fares, based on a prediction of July’s RPI, as ‘outrageous’ – but the true inflation figure has proved to be 0.3% higher.

Bruce Williamson, spokesman for campaign group Railfuture, told the PA news agency: ‘What would be the justification for jacking up fares above inflation? There isn’t any.

‘It’s ripping off the customer, driving people off the trains and onto our congested road network, which is in no-one’s interest.’

The Department for Transport said an update on changes to regulated fares would be coming later this year.

A spokesperson said: ‘The government is putting passengers at the heart of its plans for public ownership and Great British Railways (GBR), delivering the services they deserve and driving growth.

‘No decisions have been made on next year’s rail fares but our aim is that prices balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers.’

Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Paul Kohler described the potential increase as ‘nothing short of ludicrous’ and urged the government to freeze fares.

He said: ‘To increase rail fares at all in the midst of a cost of living crisis would be nothing other than a slap in the face to ordinary people.’

The news comes as rail punctuality in the UK fell to its lowest level in five years.

Statistics from the Office of Rail and Road show trains pulled into station within a minute of their scheduled arrival just two-thirds of the time in the year to July 19.

That’s the worst performance since the year leading up to May 30 2020.

How to get cheap train tickets

Rail travel may be about to get even more expensive, but there are often cheaper options out there if you know where to look – and are willing to be flexible.

Here are a few of the simplest ways to cut the costs:

• Check if you qualify for a railcard. Among the groups who get discounts are people aged 16-25 or 26-30; seniors; disabled people; and those serving in the armed forces.
• Split ticketing. This is often offered automatically by many rail operators and ticket sellers on websites and apps.
• Be flexible with your times. If you are able or willing to travel at a less convenient or popular time, off-peak tickets are often considerably cheaper.
• Book in advance. The best time to start looking for a ticket is typically 12 weeks ahead of the journey time, and you may even be able to find affordable first-class tickets.

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