Credit;PA
Britain’s rail fares will rise by 3.8 per cent in March 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.
This is below the current retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation, which is 7.1 per cent, the department said in a statement.
The cost of train travel normally increases on the first working day of every year.
Rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “Capping rail fares in line with inflation while tying it to the July RPI strikes a fair balance, ensuring we can continue to invest record amounts into a more modern, reliable railway, ease the burden on taxpayers and protect passengers from the highest RPI in years.
“Delaying the changes until March 2022 offers people the chance to save money by renewing their fares at last year’s price.
“That includes the 100,000 people who are already making savings with cheaper and more convenient flexible season tickets.”
The DfT also announced the Book with Confidence scheme will be extended until March 31 2022.
This allows passengers to change their travel plans up until the night before departure, without being charged a fee, or cancel their tickets and receive a refund in the form of rail vouchers.
Andy Bagnall, director general of industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said: “The Government’s decision to hold fares down in line with July’s inflation is welcome compared to last year’s 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-focused service that will both keep costs down long-term and attract people back to the train.”
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