Train fare increases an "insult to injury" for rail users

Since prices went up yesterday(January 2) passengers have had to pay an average of 5.9 per cent more for journeys than last year.

People purchasing a standard, weekly season ticket from Bexley to London zones one to six are now paying £53.40 instead of £50.40.

For yearly travelcard users across the same journey, it costs more than £100 a year extra, as the recent increase sees them paying £2,136.00, instead of £2,016.00.

Oyster card users also have to pay more.

Passengers travelling from Sidcup to London will pay £4.50 per peak journey rather than last year’s £4.20, an increase of 5.8 per cent.

There is a similar 30 pence increase on services from Bexley and Crayford to London too, with prices rising 5.8 per cent from £5.20 to £5.50.

And single bus journeys using an Oyster card have increased from £1.30 to £1.35 with the daily price cap going up from £4 to £4.20.

MP for Erith and Thamesmead Teresa Pearce said: “They say they need to put prices up to invest but let’s see some evidence of the investment.

“People are fed up with the service as it is and putting the price up is insult to injury – there are often last minute changes, lack of information and short trains.

The MP, who uses public transport to travel into the capital, added: “I think people are going to be impacted and people are already stretched with the increases in fuel and food prices.

“It’s not great, especially at a time when we are trying to attract the world to come to us as a tourist attraction.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson defended the increase on Transport for London services.

He said: “I understand any increase in tough times is difficult.

“This is a package that has sought to balance the needs of today's passengers whilst ensuring we continue apace with plans to overhaul London's transport system in the face of unprecedented demand.”

WHAT YOUR TRAIN FARE PAYS FOR

The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has published figures on its website on how the money received from train companies is spent.

For every £1 train companies receive from fares, 48p of that is spent on improving and maintaining tracks (Network Rail), while only 3p is profit.

Cost of staff is allocated 17p of that, as well as another 17p going towards other general maintenance, admin and contractors cost.

Leasing trains is set aside 11p of every £1, whilst only 4p is used to pay for fuel.

ATOC’s chief executive Michael Roberts said: “Money raised through fares helps pay for new trains, faster services and better stations.”