Travellers warned to act fast as prices of train tickets will increase in coming days

Rail fares in England are to increase by up to 5.9%, despite what the government calls ‘its biggest ever intervention’ to keep the cost of travel below soaring inflation.

The worst price hike in the last decade affecting millions of commuters will take effect from 5 March.

The cost of commuting is about to increase

Coming Sunday, 5 Marchwill see the price leap for train travel in England. Although it is the first time in more than 25 years that regulated rail fares have increased by less than inflation, campaigners and businesses are not persuaded the government is doing enough, with Labour calling the move a ‘sick joke’.

Taking into account that the quality of services fell below adequate, especially in the north of the country, the question is if rail service customers get what they are paying for.

David Sidebottom, the director of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said research showed most passengers did not think railways were delivering value for the fares.

He said:

After months of unreliable services and strike disruption, it’s clear that too many passengers are not getting a value-for-money service.

The transport secretary Mark Harper defended the decision calling it ‘a fair balance between the passengers who use our trains and the taxpayers who help pay for them’ after it was revealed taxpayers had subsidised the railways by £31bn since the start of the pandemic – at least £16bn more than it would be under normal conditions.

Norman Baker of the Campaign for Better Transport fears that ‘this is still a large rise which will deter some people from using the railways’.

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Here is how to save money on train tickets before prices shoot up

Money-saving expert Martin Lewis issued a warning for anyone buying train tickets in the UK and shared some tips on how to beat an upcoming price hike.

If you buy your next annual season ticket before Sunday, March 5, you will still pay the current rate.

But if it expires soon after the latest date you’re able to renew at the current price, it is worth renewing earlier even if that means forking out for two tickets at the same time briefly.

As well as season tickets, Lewis recommends buying other fares before the price hike. For example, by purchasing a single or return, you will lock in the current cheaper price, even for journeys from Sunday, March 5, onwards.

You can normally buy these tickets up to 12 weeks in advance. To be first in the cheap ticket queue, simply put your journey details into the Trainline ticket alert system. You will get an email notification when advance tickets for that journey go on sale.

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Sources used:

- The Guardian: 'Rail fares in England to increase by up to 5.9% in March'

- My London: 'Martin Lewis issues 4-day warning for anyone buying train tickets in the UK'