Today the government announced that the annual rail fare increase has been capped in line with inflation. Fares will be tied to the Retail Price Index (RPI) for July 2021 – representing a 3.8% increase with the changes coming into force in March.
Responding to this, Andy Bagnall, Director General of the Rail Delivery Group, said:
“The government’s decision to hold fares down in line with July’s inflation is welcome compared to last years’ above inflation increase and the rate of inflation right now.
“It is important that fares are set at a level that will encourage more people to travel by train in the future, helping to support a clean and fair recovery from the pandemic.
“We know the railway must not take more than its fair share from the taxpayer which is why the rail industry is working to create a financially sustainable and more passenger-focussed service that will both keep costs down long-term and attract people back to the train.”
Photo credit: RDG