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Sky-high rail fares could rocket by a further 8 percent in 2024. Travellers and commuters will be hit by the increase if the Government uses the same formula as this year.<\/p>\n
Analysis of industry data shows this would be the highest annual rise since at least 1996, when Britain\u2019s railways were privatised.<\/p>\n
The Department for Transport aligned the cap on this year\u2019s fare increases with average earnings growth for July 2022, which was 5.9 percent. Figures published by the Office for National Statistics yesterday show the same measure for July 2023 was 8 percent.<\/p>\n
The DfT has previously confirmed that next year\u2019s fare rises will be below the Retail Prices Index measure of inflation for July \u2013 which was 9 percent \u2013 but has not announced what formula it will use. Such a hike would see annual tickets from Woking to London rising by \u00a3310 to \u00a34,190.<\/p>\n
An off-peak return from Manchester to London would cost \u00a3112.20 following an \u00a38.30 jump.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Train strikes by ‘politically motivated’ unions will cost rail worker jobs<\/strong><\/p>\n Norman Baker, director of external affairs at pressure group Campaign for Better Transport, said: \u201cPassengers face eye-watering increases.<\/p>\n \u201cRather than hammer rail passengers yet again, the Government should freeze rail fares \u2013 as they have done with fuel duty \u2013 until the long-promised ticketing reform takes place.\u201d<\/p>\n A DfT spokesman said: \u201cAfter last year\u2019s biggest ever Government intervention to cap rail fare rises well below inflation, we\u2019ll continue to protect passengers from cost-of-living pressures.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will not increase next year\u2019s rail fares by as much as the July RPI figure.<\/p>\n \u201cAny increase will also be delayed until March 2024, temporarily freezing fares for passengers to travel at a lower price for January and February.\u201d<\/p>\n The earnings growth figure used to set the cap on fare rises in 2023 was the percentage change in average total pay in July 2022 compared with a year earlier.<\/p>\n About 45 percent of fares on Britain\u2019s railways are regulated by the Westminster, Scottish and Welsh Governments.<\/p>\n They include season tickets on most commutes and some off-peak returns on long routes.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/4956700.jpg?r=1694555686814\")
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