Some of the UK's biggest train operators are being accused of "astronomical" fare rises, as a result of extending peak-time hours. The rail watchdog Passenger Focus says that some fares have nearly quadrupled since last year.
Train companies say that the number of people affected by such rises is "tiny".
Since January, over 180 trains a week have been rescheduled as "peak-time", a BBC survey found.
By redesignating trains as "peak", this allows train companies to increase fares without needing permission from the regulator.
Edward Welsh, of the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc), says the vast majority of travellers have seen fares fall, stay the same or rise below the rate of inflation.
"The average increase in fares this January was 1.1%. That's the lowest since privatisation 15 years ago," he says. (AtW's comment:
)
One train affected by the rises is the 0950 Virgin Trains service from Birmingham to London.
Last year this train was off peak. But after Virgin decided to extend ticket restrictions for more than an hour a day, it is now peak. Antony Ray Commuter Antony Ray has seen his ticket price more than triple
On board, we found businessman Antony Ray, who has no choice but to use this particular service.
As a result of the changes, his fare from Telford to London has more than tripled from £45 to £158 for a return journey.
"It's crazy," he says. "You basically can't get down to London and get back in time for meetings. The car's much cheaper."
Last year, taking the 0915 from London Euston to Manchester, returning at 0855 the next day, would have cost £66.
Now that Virgin has extended its peak hours, the same ticket costs £262.
Anthony Smith, of Passenger Focus, says such rises are astronomical.
"Tinkering with ticket restrictions causes confusion. And if your journey has gone up by four times, you're going to feel you've been done," he says.
More: BBC News - Train operators accused of 'astronomical' fare rises
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Ok, peak time highest use etc - but WTF price differential is THAT big? 3 times difference in price between 9:50 and 10:15 (I usually take this train when I go to London on SKA business) is a complete and utter bollox.
I mean FFS, £45 is not bad money to get 120 miles by the most efficient mode of transport - train.
This would have never happened under Tories!
Train companies say that the number of people affected by such rises is "tiny".
Since January, over 180 trains a week have been rescheduled as "peak-time", a BBC survey found.
By redesignating trains as "peak", this allows train companies to increase fares without needing permission from the regulator.
Edward Welsh, of the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc), says the vast majority of travellers have seen fares fall, stay the same or rise below the rate of inflation.
"The average increase in fares this January was 1.1%. That's the lowest since privatisation 15 years ago," he says. (AtW's comment:
)One train affected by the rises is the 0950 Virgin Trains service from Birmingham to London.
Last year this train was off peak. But after Virgin decided to extend ticket restrictions for more than an hour a day, it is now peak. Antony Ray Commuter Antony Ray has seen his ticket price more than triple
On board, we found businessman Antony Ray, who has no choice but to use this particular service.
As a result of the changes, his fare from Telford to London has more than tripled from £45 to £158 for a return journey.
"It's crazy," he says. "You basically can't get down to London and get back in time for meetings. The car's much cheaper."
Last year, taking the 0915 from London Euston to Manchester, returning at 0855 the next day, would have cost £66.
Now that Virgin has extended its peak hours, the same ticket costs £262.
Anthony Smith, of Passenger Focus, says such rises are astronomical.
"Tinkering with ticket restrictions causes confusion. And if your journey has gone up by four times, you're going to feel you've been done," he says.
More: BBC News - Train operators accused of 'astronomical' fare rises
-------
Ok, peak time highest use etc - but WTF price differential is THAT big? 3 times difference in price between 9:50 and 10:15 (I usually take this train when I go to London on SKA business) is a complete and utter bollox.
I mean FFS, £45 is not bad money to get 120 miles by the most efficient mode of transport - train.
This would have never happened under Tories!
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