Commuters face train fare rises

Most fares on Southeastern services are going up in January

Train fare rises of up to 12% on routes in Kent and East Sussex starting in the New Year have been criticised by passenger groups and union officials.

Southeastern Railway said an average 6.8% increase for season tickets and standard returns was based on a pricing formula agreed with the government.

The cost of a non-Travelcard weekly ticket from Gravesend to London will rise by 12% - and from Hastings by 8%.

The independent rail watchdog Passenger Focus said the rises were unjustified.

Southeastern has published figures for fare increases from 2 January alongside details of increased investment.

"The company recognises that no-one likes having to pay more, and naturally fare increases are unpopular," a statement on its website said.

More trains do not justify these kind of fare rises when passenger numbers are going up as well Passenger Focus

Southeastern said it was government policy to "recoup more of the cost of the rail service from those who use it, rather than relying on the taxpayer to subsidise it".

It said some fares were rising by more than others, while a few in south-east London were set to go down.

Some cheap day fares will see an average increase of 4.8% - but for regulated fares like season tickets and standard returns, the figures in Kent vary from a 12% rise in Gravesend, 11% in Margate and Ramsgate, to 6.5% in Sevenoaks.

'Rip off' customers

On Southeastern's East Sussex lines, passengers from Hastings or Wadhurst to London could find themselves paying up to 8% more for their journeys, and 7.5% for Battle.

The company said "increased revenue" was being put back into more services, better performance and more attractive stations.

But Anthony Smith, chief executive of Passenger Focus, said: "There are more trains on time, which is good, but that does not justify these kind of fare rises when passenger numbers are going up as well."

And the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union and Transport Salaried Staffs' Association said the above-inflation increases were a result of the government allowing rail companies to "rip off" their customers.