Rail fare freeze good news for commuters

South Western Railway train at Waterloo station

Government freezes rail fares for the first time in 30 years

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander have announced they are putting a freeze on rail fares.

Fares usually go up in January. The most recent rise was 4.6%. This is the first time fares have been frozen in 30 years. The freeze until March 2027 will apply to regulated fares, which include season tickets, day singles and returns, and off-peak returns between major cities.

The Government says the freeze will ‘keep household costs down for hardworking families and drive economic growth by limiting inflation by keeping travel costs down’.

Season ticket holders on the busiest routes are set to save the rise they would normally have expected, amounting to hundreds of pounds.

A year’s season ticket from Chiswick rail station to London Waterloo costs £1,292, so a further increase of 4.6% would have brought it to £1,352, an increase of £60.

Making the announcement ahead of Wednesday’s Budget, the Treasury and Transport departments said:

‘Commuters on the more expensive routes will save more than £300 per year.

‘With transport costs making up 14% of household spending, the cost-cutting move will provide real savings – delivering on the government’s commitment to put more money in working people’s pockets. It will also directly limit inflation by holding down a major component of everyday costs’.

Rail passengers at Chiswick rail station 

“Just the news many residents have been hoping for”

Hounslow Labour group welcomed the freeze, saying it would help make train travel more affordable for commuters and families.

Councillor Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport said:

“This is just the news many residents have been hoping for. This first rail fare freeze in 30 years shows what a difference a Labour Government can make.

“Whether you’re commuting between big cities, going on daytrips, or just visiting friends. This will make train travel more attractive and affordable.

“SWR was the first company to be renationalised under a Labour Government. The Government’s plans to rebuild the publicly owned Great British Railways will end years of fragmentation, drive up standards for passengers, and make journeys easier and better value for money”.

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