Member Article

Southeastern rail confirms fare increase

In the smallest annual increase for six years, train fares are expected to rise an avergae of 1.1 per cent in January 2016, affecting operators nationwide including Southeastern rail.

Commuters in the region will see average fares rise slightly below the 1.1 per cent average rise announced today by the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and rail infrastructure firm Network Rail.

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We know that nobody likes to pay more to travel by train, especially to get to work, and at 1.1 per cent this is the smallest average increase in fares for six years.

“On average 97p in every pound from fares is spent on trains, staff and other running costs. With passenger numbers doubling in the last 20 years, money from fares now almost covers the railway’s day-to-day operating costs.

“This allows government to focus its funding on building a bigger, better network when the railway is becoming increasingly important at driving economic growth, underpinning jobs, and connecting friends and families.”

A spokesman for Southeastern explained: “The overall average fare rise for next year for Southeastern is in line with the government’s rise of one per cent - slightly below the national average of 1.1 per cent.

“Fares contribute to the maintenance and future investment of services, as well as rail infrastructure. Over the next three years, Southeastern is investing millions of pounds refurbishing trains, and stations and providing better quality information to help people with their journeys.”

By contrast, family-run Chalkwell Coaches has just lowered some of the fares it charges on its popular daily commuter services linking Maidstone, Kings Hill, Sittingbourne, Gillingham, Chatham and Rainham to the capital.

Chalkwell’s Commercial Director, Roland Eglinton said: “With inflation continuing to hover around the zero mark, rail commuters can be forgiven for wondering why their season tickets are going up by 10 times that amount,”

“A growing number of commuters recognise they can make huge savings by using the coach – for example, our season ticket from Maidstone costs just £2,380, which is a saving of £1,841 compared to travelling on a standard Southeastern service. And people switching to our service from Sittingbourne will save £1,846 a year.

“With our modern, comfortable fleet of coaches offering a wide choice of pick-up points plus the lure of a guaranteed seat, a newly upgraded free wi-fi service and a host of other passenger benefits, it’s easy to see why more people are choosing coach travel compared to expensive and overcrowded trains.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .