Rail fares on some routes could rise by as much as 13%

That is the maximum figure that Train Operating Companies can increase fares by each year and is the ceiling on the basket of fares that will average 8% in January 2012.

Later this month commuters should find out just how much they will have to pay in January for their season tickets.

It may be at that time, just before Christmas that many families have to start thinking about how they cut their Christmas festivities or even have to take the drastic decision to look for a new job, closer to home, after Christmas.

Either way, a nice Christmas present from the Chancellor at a time of holding onto your job!

It reminds me of a line from a Ben Elton sketch about what you say to your boss, except this time it is directed at the Chancellor, "Merry *!)%$"& Christmas, George."

Is it being alarmist about 13% rises?

Well, no, because in November last year we found out just how high some of the fare increases could be. Some commuters were surprised – as well as shocked and annoyed – at just how much they would be paying.

Take annual season tickets on Southeastern services:

•  between Ramsgate and London the increase in January 2011 was 12.8%, seeing a rise from £3,880 to £4,376;
•  between Ashford International to London which rose from £3,840 to £4,328, a 12.7% uplift
•  and then there was the 11.8% rise for passengers travelling between Tonbridge and London with new fares coming in at £3,408.

These are just the highest fare increases from January 2011 but there were plenty of others that topped the average rise of 6.2%, and from all corners of the UK.

What makes it worse is that people are already feeling the pinch of inflationary – and above inflationary – increases in so many areas of life whilst for most of us pay increases are either non-existent or completely insufficient to maintain a standard of living.

To underline the point, the Campaign for Better Transport has just released some research which indicates that for many working couples with children, the cost of rail travel to work and childcare takes an average of a third of their salary. In London this amounts to 40% whilst outside London the figure, stands at 26%.

These staggering figures put the cost of rail travel and childcare on a par with mortgage and rental costs – no wonder people are finding it ever harder to cope!

And at a time when rail fare rises have yet to kick in – not to mention that for those who use Tube or Bus services in London, the effect of a further increase of 7% also has to be factored in.  

Will rail fare rises – set to continue at the rate of Retail Price Index inflation + 3% for each year of the next three years – be the straw that breaks the camel’s back of an already struggling economy?

Let us know your views.

And why not get involved with Together for Transport's Fares and Stations Campaigns?