- Train ticket costs are due to rise next year by July’s RPI figure plus 1%
- Exact level of any rise will be decided by the Government later this year
Train fares could rise by as much as 3.2 per cent next year – heaping yet more pressure onto long-suffering passengers.
The Government regulates how much train companies are allowed to put many of their fares up by.
Normally, train fares rise in March by the retail prices index (RPI) level of inflation in July of the previous year, plus or minus up to 1 per cent.
The Office for National Statistics this week revealed that July RPI inflation was 2.2 per cent, meaning the Government may allow train firms to increase fares by up to 3.2 per cent in March 2025.
Cost of commuting: Train travellers face another hike to prices, with commuters paying most
This would mean a season ticket from Reading to London, costing £5,600 now, would rise by £179 to £5,779.
A season ticket from Keighley to Leeds, currently £1,504, would rise by £48.12 to £1,552.12.
An anytime day return from Bath Spa to Bristol would go up in price from £11.10 to £11.45.
How likely is it that train fares will rise 3.2%?
At the moment, we do not know for sure. The Government has not confirmed what it plans to do with the level of 2025 train fares.
The Department for Transport is set to do this later in the year.
But it is likely commuters face around this level of price increase, because it is low enough that government won’t see the need for special measures to keep prices lower.
The department took such drastic action to make sure train price hikes stayed lower than normal in 2024.
The level of RPI in July 2023 was 9 per cent, meaning travellers faced 2024 price increases of 10 per cent.
To avoid this, the Government capped price rises for 2024 at 4.9 per cent.
Likewise, in 2023 the Government capped the rise at 5.9 per cent, rather than the 12.8 per cent hike that would otherwise have been inflicted on train travellers.
Which train fares will be going up?
In short, most of them.
But only regulated train fares are controlled by the Government.
These are:
- Season tickets for most commuters
- Some off-peak return tickets
- Travelcards
- Anytime tickets in big metropolitan areas
Other, non-regulated train fares can go up in price by whatever a train company wants.
These include:
- First class tickets
- Off-peak day tickets
- Advance anytime tickets
The Department for Transport has been approached for comment.
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