UK Edition
Rail fares increase at twice the rate of wages as commuters prepare for another price rise despite strike disruption
Rail fares have increased at twice the rate of wages in the past six years, analysis shows.
While fares have gone up 25 per cent since 2010, weekly earnings have risen just 12 per cent, research by the Action for Rail union campaign and the TUC shows.
It comes ahead as the Government is set to announce an increase in rail fares, which is expected to see some routes go up by £150 for an annual season ticket.
The rises are tied to July’s Retail Price Index, a measure of inflation, which will be confirmed this morning. June's figure was 1.6%.
The fare jump comes despite continuing disruption for passengers as unions stage strikes on various lines.
Conservative MP John Redwood said those affected by both strikes and fare fires have “a particular need for anger”.
The Virgin Trains East Coast line will be affected by three days of strikes later this month, including on Bank Holiday Monday, after the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers’ union (RMT) announced industrial action in a row over jobs, working conditions and safety.
Virgin Trains have told customers it will continue to run a full time table during the strikes.
Eurostar workers also walked out on Friday with a plan to remain on strike for four days, but the action was later suspended to allow for further talks.
Meanwhile talks aimed at resolving the dispute over the role of conductors on Southern Railway have broken down. Commuters on the line, which serves the south-east of England, have complained of inadequate services with overcrowding and cancellations.
Southern workers staged three days of strikes over the role of conductors last week. The RMT claims the operator rejected its proposal that would have ensured the role delivered by a second person on a train in addition to the driver.
Angie Doll, the firm's passenger services director, said: "We have been talking to the union for nine months now and, despite several visits to Acas, the union won't agree a deal.
"Passengers will be rightly exasperated that the RMT won't agree to what most fair-minded people would believe is an incredibly good offer.”
The fare rises will affect regulated fares, which account for about half of all fares, including season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance trips and Anytime tickets around major cities.
Mr Redwood, the MP for Wokingham, said that commuters have a right to be "angry" about the fare rises.
He said: "Rail fares have gone up more than earnings and it's very worrying for people who rely on the railways to get to work.
"We need more success by Network Rail in delivering a better service for lower cost. More can be done to keep safety standards high whilst making it more effective.
"Those affected by strikes because management and employees can't work out their relationships have got a particular need for anger.
"Why can't they get better at marketing and selling tickets and getting the pricing to more sensible levels?
"The commuters are getting high fare increases on top of very high fares while still facing overcrowding and poor service."
If July’s inflation figure is in the region of 1.5 per cent, the average cost of an annual season ticket would rise by £41 to around £2,777.
For an annual ticket from Birmingham to London, the cost go up by £151 to £10,231.