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Train fares to rise in January
Rail commuters have received a blow just before Christmas with the news that train fares are set to rise above the cost of inflation in January.
Announcing the price hike, the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) defended the move, saying the extra cash would be used to make the network more efficient and is in line with the Government's desire to lessen the cost of rail investment on the taxpayer and pass it onto the passenger.
Atoc said train fares would increase by an average of 5.9% next month, whereas the Retail Prices Index was pegged at 5.2% in November.
Chief executive Michael Roberts said: "The industry is working together to continue cutting costs as a way to help limit future fare rises and offer better value for money for taxpayers over the longer term."
The issue of rising train fares was raised in September by then transport secretary Philip Hammond, who said the average person had been priced off the trains, as he addressed the Commons Transport Committee.
Copyright Press Association 2011
