Rail fares rise by 4.6% in England and Wales despite record low reliability of services | UK News

Rail fares in England and Wales are set to rise by 4.6% from Sunday.

Railcards are also going to become more expensive, despite record-low reliability of services.

Public transport campaigners cautioned that the fare hikes will “pile further misery on hard-pressed households” as some commuters will have to pay hundreds of pounds more per year for travel.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged passenger frustration.

The UK government set the 4.6% cap for England’s increase in regulated fares.

This will include season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance routes and flexible tickets for travel around major cities.

Operators set rises in unregulated fares – but these are likely to rise by the same amount.

The Welsh government matched Westminster’s cap, while Transport for Wales is applying various increases to its unregulated fares.

Meanwhile, the Scottish government will increase all ScotRail fares by 3.8% from 1 April.

Railcards in Britain, excluding those for disabled passengers, also became more expensive for the first time in 12 years on Sunday.

The price of a three-year card has risen from £70 to £80, while a one-year card has increased from £30 to £35.

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Ms Alexander said: “I understand that passengers are frustrated rail fares keep rising despite unacceptable levels of delays and cancellations, which is why this government made sure this was the lowest increase in three years, and below the growth in average earnings.

“We inherited a railway that was not fit for purpose, and I know it will take time for trust to be restored, with trains turning up on time, when and where they’re needed.”

Michael Solomon Williams, from Campaign for Better Transport, said: “With food and energy costs going up, today’s rail fare rise will pile further misery on hard-pressed households.

“Cost is the number one barrier to getting more people travelling by rail, so the government must address the rising cost of train travel as part of its forthcoming rail reforms.”