rail fares

Government urged to drop ‘parasitic’ private contracts as rail fares set to soar

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/government-urged-drop-parasitic-private-contracts-rail-fares-set-soar

 People using a ticket machine at Waterloo train station in London

THE government was urged to ditch “parasitic” private contracts today after it emerged that regulated train fares in England could soar by 5.8 per cent next year.

This year fares went up 4.6 per cent — one point higher than last July’s retail prices index (RPI).

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The government is set to renationalise all train operators by 2027 and integrate them into Great British Railways, a new public body which will also oversee rail infrastructure.

However GBR will continue to lease rolling stock, carriages and locomotives, from private firms. Outsourced contracts, such as those for cleaning staff, are also set to remain.

A spokesperson for rail union RMT said: “Our analysis shows that £720 million is extracted each year from our railways through rolling stock leasing, outsourcing and subcontracting.

“Eliminating that profiteering would allow fares to be cut by 6.5 per cent.

“The government has an opportunity under GBR to remove these parasitic contracts that drain resources from the network and instead offer real value for money for passengers through public ownership.”

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Original article at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/government-urged-drop-parasitic-private-contracts-rail-fares-set-soar

Continue ReadingGovernment urged to drop ‘parasitic’ private contracts as rail fares set to soar

Rail fares rise by 4.6% in England and Wales

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https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/mar/01/rail-passengers-england-wales-fares-rise

Rail fares in England and Wales are rising by 4.6% from Sunday and most railcards going up by £5. Photograph: Geoffrey Swaine/Rex/Shutterstock

Campaigners say if government can find money to freeze fuel duty for motorists they can do similar for railways

Rail passengers in England and Wales face a steep increase in the cost of travel from Sunday, with fares rising by 4.6% and most railcards going up by £5.

The government said the rise is needed because of the dire financial state of the railway, but transport campaigners contrasted it with Labour prolonging the freeze on fuel duty for motorists.

This weekend’s fare increase is only the second time the government has raised fares above the rate of inflation since 2013 – the other being in 2021 when the Covid pandemic had stopped most rail revenue.

London Underground and other rail fares in the capital will also match the national rise, going up by an average of 4.6% across the network, although bus fares will be frozen.

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https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/mar/01/rail-passengers-england-wales-fares-rise

Continue ReadingRail fares rise by 4.6% in England and Wales

Rail fare increase: Green Party calls for fare freeze and for railways to be taken into public ownership

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https://bright-green.org/2023/08/15/rail-fare-increase-green-party-calls-for-fare-freeze-and-for-railways-to-be-taken-into-public-ownership/

Green Party’s co-leader Adrian Ramsay.

The Green Party of England and Wales has called for rail fares to be frozen on the day the government has announced that regulated fares will increase in January 2024.

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Ramsay said: “This government is moving in completely the wrong direction. Fuel duty has been frozen since 2011, while air passenger duty cuts this year will be a disaster for the climate crisis by encouraging people to fly more. This is despite the fact UK rail passengers are already paying more to travel by train than flying and are faced with some of the most expensive tickets in Europe.

“Emissions from transport are higher than for any other sector of the economy. If the UK is to meet its climate commitments, then we need more people choosing trains over cars and planes, and we need more commuters opting for public transport and active travel to get to work. Making train travel more expensive, while closing rail ticket offices that support travellers to get the best deal, would underscore the government’s contempt for climate action and the travelling public.

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https://bright-green.org/2023/08/15/rail-fare-increase-green-party-calls-for-fare-freeze-and-for-railways-to-be-taken-into-public-ownership/

Continue ReadingRail fare increase: Green Party calls for fare freeze and for railways to be taken into public ownership