Rail ticket prices soar higher than inflation

Jan 5 2011 by Robert Weatherall, The Journal

NORTH East rail users have been hit by above-inflation price hikes. Travellers on the regions rail networks have seen the cost of travelling shoot up by around 5.8% on some of the most popular routes as a result of New Year price rises.

The increase has led some public transport campaigners to claim that train travellers will be priced off the network and forced to use cars instead, creating more congestion and pollution.

Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) General Secretary Bob Crow described the increase as a ‘kick in the teeth for travellers’.

Rail bosses and the Government insist the increases are necessary to fund improvements in the public transport network.

Figures released by the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) show the cost of a season ticket between Durham and Newcastle have shot up by 5.69%.

Last year a season ticket cost £984 but anyone buying or renewing their ticket in 2011 will have to fork out £1,040, breaking the £1,000 barrier for the first time.

Estimates by CBT show that by 2015 the same ticket could cost more than £1,300.

Alexandra Woodsworth, Public Transport Campaigner at CBT, said: “The astronomical fare rises that passengers face paying today could price many off our railways.

“Reducing road congestion, pollution and providing sustainable and affordable access to employment should be a priority, but instead commuters can expect a fare rise of 25% by the next election.”