Train fares are about to rise by 5.9% – but travellers can save by booking early
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Train fares rise 5.9% TOMORROW – but travelers can still get cheaper tickets if they buy them before the deadline
- Most train operators plan fare increases of almost 6% for 2023
- These increases apply to regulated fares, but buying tickets early can save you money
Rail fares are up 5.9 percent this weekend, but travelers can beat the hikes by buying tickets before the deadline.
Sunday, March 5, the price of thousands of train tickets will go up. Most price increases will be capped at 5.9 percent as the government stepped in to curb even higher rate hikes.
Normally, the price of regulated train fares can increase each year by the level of inflation in July before, plus one percent.
play fare? Most train operators increase regulated prices by almost 6% this weekend
But as inflation hit 12.3 percent for the qualifying month, the government stepped in, saying train operators could not raise fares beyond the average earnings growth rate for that month – 5.9 percent.
All train tickets purchased before March 5 will be priced at current levels, meaning travelers can make big savings by booking their trips in advance.
Which train tickets are going up in price?
The 5.9 percent price increase is the maximum the government will allow for regulated train fares, which make up 45 percent of all train journeys.
These include season tickets for most commuters, many off-peak long-haul return tickets, and “anytime” tickets near major cities.
The figure of 5.9 percent is the average by which train operators are allowed to raise prices for all of their regulated fares.
So fares may increase more or less depending on your route.
Most train operators have not yet announced their plans for fare increases, but those that have are sticking with the average figure of 5.9 percent.
Outside the regulated fares, train operators are allowed to set their own prices for 65 percent of train journeys.
These include first class and advance tickets.