Anger as train fares rise

Passengers have endured months of rail misery

Rail passengers face higher fares on many routes from Sunday, with some prices increasing by more than the rate of inflation.

Train operators say they need the money to improve services, although some companies have decided to freeze fares.

The price rises are part of an annual review of fares, but this year's increases have come in for particular criticism in the light of the continuing chaos across the country's rail network.

Passengers on many routes have suffered almost three months of disruption and delays following the Hatfield crash, and are angry about being asked to pay more.

We want to know what these companies will doing with this extra money to boost performance and service

Stewart Francis, Rail Passengers Council

Stewart Francis, chairman of the Rail Passengers Council (RPC), said: "This attitude of business as usual and 'the prices always go up at this time of year' is incomprehensible at a time when some passengers are still suffering problems.

"More companies should follow those that are offering near-normal services and using special offers to tempt passengers back.

"Many train companies are at present offering fewer services of a worse quality.

"They should have postponed fare increases until the whole network is back to normal.

"We want to know what these companies will doing with this extra money to boost performance and service."

The Hatfield crash prompted track repairs

The Association of Train Operating Companies says that the disruption following the Hatfield incident has cost its members more than £200m in lost revenue.

Last month, the government ordered an investigation into above inflation price rises for some rail tickets.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said he had asked the Rail Authority to look into the fare increases, though he stressed that regulated fares had seen a reduction in prices.

The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority sets an upper limit for some peak-time fares and season tickets, and increases on these will, on average, remain below the rate of inflation.

Other fares are unregulated and train companies can set any levels.

Rises and freezes

Among those which were particularly criticised last month were London-based Silverlink, for putting up its prices by 4.3%, despite finishing bottom of the latest customer satisfaction poll.

First Great Eastern, which operates out of London's Liverpool Street station to Essex and East Anglia, is raising some fares by 3.3%.

Rises at other companies include a 4.9% increase on some off-peak fares on South West Trains, 3.3% increases on Connex peak fares, and 3.3% increases on Central Trains' off-peak tickets.

Fares have been frozen by East Coast operator GNER and by Virgin on its West Coast main line and CrossCountry services.

All these routes have been particularly badly hit by speed restrictions imposed after the Hatfield crash.