Commuters' anger as rail fares increase at twice the rate of wages in six years

Rail fare hikes: Commuters at Waterloo station
Nigel Howard

Commuters today told of their anger as it was revealed that rail fares increased at twice the speed of wages in the past six years.

Fares have risen by 25 per cent since 2010, while average weekly earnings have grown by 12 per cent, according to research by the TUC and the Action for Rail union campaign.

The findings come as the Government is set to announce another round of regulated rail fare increases for the coming year.

Rail passengers said they were disappointed with services after a summer of delays and cancellations on the network.

Sadia Rehman, a procurement administrator from Croydon, who pays £146 for a monthly travel ticket, said fare hikes were "completely unreasonable”.

'Completely unreasonable': Sadia Rehman was unimpressed by the fare hike 
Nigel Howard

The 24-year-old told the Standard: “The service is awful. It used to be a lot more organised, more reliable, now it’s just falling apart.”

Jonathan Camenzuli, 28, commutes into London from Whyteleafe in Surrey using Southern Rail services and pays £1,700 for an annual season ticket.

The foreign exchange broker said: “With the problems we’ve had on Southern Rail I don’t think they can justify the prices until they improve the service.

Jonathan Camenzuli, 28, said commuters expect a better service for what they pay 
Nigel Howard

“I’m angry more than anything. You expect the price to go up but you also expect a better service for what you pay for.”

Rosy Hensler, 22, a media worker, who travels from to London from Kent, said: “A couple weeks ago I was stuck on a train for nearly two hours. For the amount you pay, you should at least have toilets and a clean train.”

Olivia Gray, 26, a fashion worker from Peckham, said: “You never get a seat and it’s expensive. The trains are not nice.”

'It's expensive': Olivia Gray travels into London from Peckham
Nigel Howard

Today’s rise will be linked to July's Retail Price Index measure of inflation, which will be confirmed at 9.30am. June's figure was 1.6%.

Around half of rail fares are regulated, including season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance trips and Anytime tickets around major cities.

As fares for passengers rise, dividends paid to shareholders of private train companies have risen by 21% in the last year to £222 million, said the unions.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Rail passengers are paying more and getting even less.

"Fares go up while trains remain overcrowded, stations are unstaffed, and rail companies cut the guards who ensure journeys run smoothly and safely.”

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "Once more the passengers and taxpayers will wonder why they must pay more for an increasingly poor service.

"When will the Government and the Department for Transport listen to those impacted by daft decisions and what is patently only good for the vested interests?"

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The rail privatisation racket is robbing the British people day in and day out.

"The train companies trouser billions while starving our rail infrastructure of the investment it so desperately needs.”

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "Our rail fares are already the highest in Europe and today's increases will only make that record worse.

"It's time that ministers gave rail passengers a break and actually froze fares in real terms.”

Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: “Wages are growing faster than train ticket prices thanks to action by the Government and our commitment to cap regulated rail fares in line with inflation will save annual season ticket holders £425 on average in the five years to 2020.

“Passengers want more reliable journeys in comfort and with better facilities. That is why we are investing record amounts in our railways delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century, providing more seats, more services, Wi-Fi and air conditioning.”

A series of protests will be held at railway stations across the country by the unions on Tuesday.

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