UK Rail Tickets To Increase 2.7% by 2020

Train operators announced on Saturday that the UK's railway tickets will increase by an average of 2.7% in January.

Campaigners and passengers met the inflation fare increase with a complete dismay.

The chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport Darren Shirley said that January’s fare rise will 'no doubt leave passengers dismayed after years of appalling service'.

The rail industry argued that it was keeping fares marginally below the Retail Price Index (RPI), used to measure inflation rate.

The July RPI was set at 2.8% this year, however, the average rise for all fares announced today remain in excess of Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate, which was 1.5% last month.

The watchdog Transport Focus Chief Executive Anthony Smith said that passengers should ask for compensation every time they are delayed in transportation.

Meantime, fares have risen at double the rate of wages over the decade and passengers were expecting ticket prices to fall in the new year, not rise again.

The railway operator group said it was the fifth year in the last seven years when prices were below the set cap and did not cover operating costs.

Chief executive of the Rail Group Paul Plummer argued that usually 'no one wants to pay more to travel', however, passengers will benefit from 1,000 improved train carriages and dozens of additional weekly services.

He added that the sector will continue to push forward to provide a better range of affordable fares, reducing overcrowded busy routes.

The increase of fares will come into effect as of January 2.