Rail passengers face fares hike

FGW's single supersaver fares will rise by 15% in January

First Great Western (FGW) passengers can expect a steep rise in the price of some fares in the new year.

The firm, which operates train services between London and the South West, is due to increase its single supersaver fares by 15% in January.

Unregulated fares on FGW services will also rise by an average of 2.4% - with some tickets increasing by nearly 4%.

Earlier this year the train operator halved the cost of its single supersaver fares.

In September the firm also introduced new restrictions on its cheapest off-peak return tickets for people travelling between the west of England and London.

'Record performance'

This meant some customers had to travel later in the day or pay more for their journey.

Speaking about price rises for train services around the UK, Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc), claimed people "should keep a sense of proportion about what passengers pay".

"How many people would guess that the average price paid for a single train journey comes in at around £5 and that the vast majority of people travel on some form of discounted travel?" he said.

"Record performance, better services and value-for-money fares have contributed to the highest number of passengers travelling by rail for 60 years.

"The January fare change means that rail travel continues to be good value for money when compared with cars and planes."