Train fares in England are rising by 4.6% from March 2 – this will affect the price of regulated rail fares, such as season, anytime day, off-peak and super off-peak tickets
Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert.com website has urged anyone who regularly travels by train to take action before this Sunday.
Train fares in England are rising by 4.6% from March 2. This will affect the price of regulated rail fares, such as season, anytime day, off-peak and super off-peak tickets. Unregulated fares – which include advance, anytime, off-peak day and first class fares – are set by train companies.
If you regularly travel by train, MSE has recommended checking if you can save money by buying a season ticket – and if you can, you should buy it before prices go up. MSE said: “The price of an annual season ticket from London to Milton Keynes starting on Saturday 1 March was £6,376. But the same ticket for the same route starting a day later on Sunday 2 March cost £6,668 – an increase of £292.”
MSE has a Train Season Ticket Calculator to help you check if you’re likely to save money by buying a season ticket. Railcards will also become more expensive from this Sunday. Most railcards cost £30 and will go up by £5, to £35. The Disabled Persons Railcard is unaffected by the increase.
However, MSE has flagged a deal where you can get 25% off current prices – cutting the price of a new railcard from £30 to £22.50 – if you buy or renew a digital railcard via TrainPal or Trip.com before Sunday. For more general ways to save money on train travel, If you can, plan your journey as far in advance as possible to get discounted fares.
Cheaper tickets are normally released 12 weeks ahead of time. See as well if you can split your journey to save costs. This involves splitting your journey up into different sections, so you’re buying lots of multiple tickets instead of just one single ticket.
Paul Tuohy from Campaign for Better Transport said: “Raising rail fares above inflation and hiking the cost of railcards is a kick in the teeth for people who rely on public transport, especially those on low income. Doing this at the same time as keeping fuel duty frozen sends entirely the wrong message. To tackle air pollution, congestion and climate change, we need to make public transport the attractive, affordable choice.”
Alex Robertson, Chief Executive of the independent watchdog, Transport Focus, said: “Our research shows there is a clear mismatch between ticket prices and the service people expect to receive for what they have paid. This needs to change. Passengers also know that someone must pay for the railway and funding can only come from fares or taxes. We recognise the difficult balance that must be struck between these two sources of income and that the Secretary of State must ultimately decide where the line is drawn.“
