Rail passengers face new year pain (From Surrey Comet)

Rail passengers face new year pain

8:30am Wednesday 28th November 2007 in News By Guardian Reporter

Rail users are bracing for above-inflation fare rises expected to be introduced in January.

Fares are expected to rise an average 4.8 per cent across the UK, but some areas in southeast England could see increases of more than 14 per cent, rail union officals say.

They have warned commuters are in for a shock when they buy their tickets in the new year.

Gerry Doherty, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, said the expected increases were unfair and unjustified.

He blamed the rises on the Government giving rail companies the green light to raise fares.

"We should be investing in a not-for-profit railway instead of increasing profits for the rail companies and providing income for the Treasury," he said.

Under a scheme agreed with the Government, most fares will be pegged at the July rate of inflation - 3.8 per cent - plus 1 per cent but others are set to rise by more.

The Association of Train Operating Companies is expected to officially release the new fare prices today or tomorrow.