2 days ago
Rail fares in England expected to rise by 5.8% next year
Train fares in England expected to rise by as much as 5.8% next year on the back of the latest inflation data release, sparking concern among passenger groups.
Increases in rail ticket prices are usually calculated by adding one percentage point to July's inflation reading on the retail prices index, which was 4.8%, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
The government has not yet confirmed how it will calculate rail fare increases for 2026, they last rose by 4.6% in March, which was one percentage point above the RPI reading from July 2024.
Regulated fares, which account for about half of rail journeys, would rise by 5.8% in 2026 if the increase follows the same pattern as last year.
Before the publication of July's inflation figures, passenger groups had warned that such fare increases risked pricing out some passengers, at a time of a squeeze on consumers' wallets, including rising food prices.
Almost half of rail fares in England are set directly by Westminster. The devolved Scottish and Welsh governments usually cap fares at a similar level. Regulated fares include season tickets on most commuter journeys, off-peak returns on long-distance routes and flexible tickets for urban rail.
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