Well that won't encourage them back to the office! Rail commuters face up to £80 added to their annual season ticket cost after 1.6% rise despite calls for it to be paused to coax staff back to their desks to save the economy
Rail commuters face an increase in season ticket prices of 1.6% - just as the government urges people to return to work.
The cap on the annual rise in most regulated fares is linked to July's Retail Prices Index measure of inflation, which was announced by the Office for National Statistics today as the same percentage.
Rail fares are usually increased every January, although there had been speculation that ministers were considering delaying the 2021 rise due to low passenger numbers.
The rise comes as a huge blow against Boris Johnson's cry for workers to go back to the office.
Figures yesterday had suggested road traffic and public transport had begun returning - before the price hike was revealed.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said:
'People's feelings about travel, and the way they use public transport, have changed. While the rail leisure travel may bounce back, our research tells us almost two in three former rail commuters expect to work from home more so we will probably now travel less for work, both commuting and on business.
'The Government must go above and beyond a fares freeze and get train companies to offer a combination of cut-price deals, carnet style 'bundles', flexible season tickets for commuters and better value for money fares across the board. To get Britain moving again in the coming months, tickets that fit the way we live and travel now are needed, not just season tickets designed for city gents in the last century.
'Like the Government's restaurant deal, we need a 'Head Out to Help Out' campaign to help get the country on the move again, boost the economy and reduce traffic on our roads.'
The UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments regulate rises for around half of fares, including season tickets on most commuter routes, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance journeys, and tickets for travel around major cities at any time.
Rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road said regulated fares went up by an average of 2.7% in January 2020, following the July 2019 RPI figure of 2.8%.
Under proposals drawn up by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) industry body, fuel duty would be increased for the first time in a decade and taxes added to the purchase of jet fuel
Rail commuters face an increase in season ticket prices of 1.6%in blow for commuters
Unregulated fares, including advance and peak long-distance tickets, can be increased at the discretion of train companies.
Examples of potential season ticket prices next year after a 1.6% rise include:
- Brighton to London: Increase of £80 to £5,060
- Barrow-in-Furness to Preston: Increase of £69 to £4,353
- Edinburgh to Glasgow: Increase of £67 to £4,267
The news comes as huge blow to the push to try and get people back into city centre offices to help restart the economy.It is feared a hike in prices will encourage employees that can to stay at home and work remotely to keep costs down.
Passenger watchdog Transport Focus called for a major shake-up of rail fares to encourage passengers back to the railways following the collapse in demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief executive Anthony Smith said a system that fits 'the way we live and travel now' is needed, rather than 'season tickets designed for city gents in the last century'.
Cities are still empty despite the Government's pledge to go back to work to help the economy
Figures from the Department for Transport show motor vehicle activity has virtually returned to its pre-pandemic levels. Public transport usage is steadily increasing, but at a much slower rate
He went on: 'Our research tells us almost two in three former rail commuters expect to work from home more so we will probably now travel less for work, both commuting and on business.
'The Government must go above and beyond a fares freeze and get train companies to offer a combination of cut-price deals, carnet-style 'bundles', flexible season tickets for commuters and better-value-for-money fares across the board.'
Department for Transport figures show car use has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, but rail travel is below a third of what it was before the crisis despite lockdown restrictions easing.
All revenue and cost risks from train companies were transferred to the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments in March to avoid franchises collapsing.
This has already cost taxpayers at least £3.5 billion.
London: Mobility trackers from Apple illustrate the rise in traffic on the roads around the capital, almost to pre-pandemic levels. Public transport is also climbing but is still struggling to match a full recovery
Birmingham: Driving has almost returned to pre-lockdown levels, but public transport has not reached the same heights, Apple trackers show
Manchester: A similar pattern is being observed in the North West, despite the region's spike in cases, Apple trackers show
The initial Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) offered by the UK Government last for six months, but taxpayer-funded support is expected to continue.
Trade unions claim EMAs mean Britain's railways are now in public ownership, but that is disputed by the industry.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union called for fares to be cut by 5% each year, using £500 million it says would otherwise be paid to private firms over a 12-month period if EMAs are extended.
RMT senior assistant general secretary Mick Lynch said: 'After well over a decade of eye-watering fare increases and with an industry in crisis, tinkering with fares is simply not good enough.
'Instead we argue that stopping the unjustified profiteering of the train companies would pay for an annual 5% cut in fares as part of a long-term national strategy for our railway.'
Darren Shirley, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: 'Today's rail fare rise will do nothing to restore people's faith in the railways.
'The Government must do more than just pay lip service to encouraging people to take public transport, it must now also provide the financial incentives to do so.
'Today's fare rise is a missed opportunity to do just that.'
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