Response to the rise in rail fares

14 August 2019

Regulated rail fares are set to rise by up to 2.8%. The increase will be based on the Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation measure for July 2019 of 2.8%

Responding to the rise in regulated rail fares, Cllr Judith Blake, who leads on transport for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“Rail fare rises are never popular but rail passengers in the North will feel particularly aggrieved at this increase given the ongoing problems with punctuality and reliability and the recent confirmation that Pacer trains will remain in service next year. Passengers want to see a rapid improvement in their daily commute, but it is still a far too miserable experience for many people.”

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said:

“Passengers in the North will be dismayed at the scale of this year’s regulated fare increase given their experiences over the last 12 months. At a time when they are being asked to pay for services, passengers will rightly expect the rail industry to have robust plans in place for the peak demand period in the autumn.

“The North will only have the modern reliable rail network it needs with investment in extra capacity, including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail with a line through Bradford City Centre.”