Above-inflation rail fare increases scrapped

Date: 9/3/2012

The government has announced it is capping rail fare increases at the rate of inflation.

Currently, inefficiency on the country's network is costing taxpayers and passengers £3.5 billion a year and the coalition wants to reduce this figure by 2019.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening outlined the plans in a new paper called Reforming Our Railways: Putting the Customer First, which details initiatives to invest in more rolling stock and improve infrastructure.

It also explained that above-inflation fare increases will be abolished, allowing more people to use the rail network.

"We are setting out a roadmap for action alongside the industry to root out inefficiency so we can deliver real value-for-money that ends inflation-busting fare rises once and for all," said Ms Greening.

It was recently announced that 80 new carriages are to be introduced on the First TransPennine Express and London Midland networks from December 2013 to boost capacity and deliver faster journeys.

Posted by Mary Treen