Christmas gift from train operators: a 3.1pc fare increase

Domestic travellers were met with their annual Christmas gift from rail operators on Friday - confirmation that fares will rise by 3.1% in the new year.

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the private train operating companies, as well as state-owned infrastructure operator Network Rail, announced the annual increase on Friday morning, adding hundreds of pounds to the cost of many commuters’ annual tickets from 2 January.

Fares in 2018 rose by 3.4%, which was below the maximum 3.6% allowed for regulated fare increases.

Regulated fares are permitted to rise in line with the retail price index each year, rather than the lower consumer price index.

Passenger advocates were not happy with the news, however, after a year of poor service, including a botched new timetable on services operated by Govia Thameslink Railway and Northern.

“Rail passengers have endured enough this year, with botched timetable changes and delays to their journeys which led to the worst punctuality figures for 12 years,” said Campaign for Better Transport chief executive Darren Shirley.