In what has been a difficult year for commuters, the fact that the year is set to end knowing that rail fares are going to be even more expensive in 2018 is a low point for many people. Across the country, criticism about the standard of service provided by rail operators has been growing and there is a sense that these rail fare increases will leave many people questioning whether they can afford to take the train or not.
On average, rail fare increases will be by 3.4% from the 2nd of January 2018 and these are set to be the biggest rise since 2013. The fact that the increase is going to cover regulated fares, with season tickets included in this and unregulated fares, such as off-peak leisure tickets mean that a broad spectrum of the population will be affected by the changes.
Are you affected by rail fare increases?
This is a “significant rise”, something which has been admitted by the Rail Delivery Group but the organisation has claimed that over 97% of the income they receive from fares are used to run the railway service and improve matters. You will find a sizable proportion of travellers and users who disagree with this claim and the RMT Union have gone so far as to state that this has been a “kick in the teeth” for people who travel by train. It is therefore safe to say that rail fare increases are not universally welcome at this point of time in the UK.
It is easy to see why so many people are not happy with rail fare increases. When prices go up, there is an expectation to see an improvement in the standard of service. Inflation will always be a factor and rising costs can lead to prices moving up but if people are continually shelling out, they will want to see matters improve and this is certainly not the case for many people.
At this time of year, the thought of rising prices can be concerning. There is no denying that people should be looking for ways to save money and to improve their financial status if possible. This is why people need to take control of their money.
If you are worried about the increased cost of getting to and from work in the year ahead, this is the time to take action and ensure you feel confident in your finances.