UK Raises Rail Fares 4.6% for 1st Time in over Decade

The British authorities announced that train ticket prices in England and Wales, excluding those designated for disabled passengers, will increase by about 4.6% from, Sunday, making them more expensive for the first time since 2013, more than a decade ago.

The Scottish government will also increase all state rail ticket prices by 3.8% from April 1.

Transport Minister Heidi Alexander expressed understanding - according to the British newspaper "The Independent" - that passengers are frustrated by the rise in rail prices despite the unacceptable levels of delays and cancellations, noting that this is why the government was keen to make this the lowest increase in three years, and less than the growth in average incomes.

She stressed that her first priority is to return the railways to a level that people can rely on, explaining that this will be done by involving the operators in public ownership and establishing a new public sector body called "Great Britain Railways" to oversee the operation of trains and railway infrastructure.

Alexander said the Department for Transport had inherited a railway that was not fit for purpose and recognised that it would take time to restore confidence in trains arriving on time when and where they were needed.

The increases include regulated fares for season tickets, some off-peak return fares on long routes and fares around major cities, meaning many travellers face hundreds of pounds more in annual travel costs.

A three-year pass will rise from £70 to £80, while a one-year pass will rise from £30 to £35.

The increases in rail fares in Britain come despite ongoing issues with the reliability of trains, which have drawn criticism from public transport advocates.