Rail fare increase is 'an insult' to hard-pressed commuters, says TUC

Lynn Collins, Regional Secretary of the North West Trade Union Congress

Commenting on the announcement of rail fare increases, TUC North West regional secretary Lynn Collins said: “This is an insult to commuters across the region.

“After a year of delays, cancellations and overcrowded trains the last thing they deserve is another wage-busting fare hike.

“It’s time to bring services back under public ownership. This would free up money to lower ticket prices and allow for much-needed investment in our railways, including keeping the guards on our trains. It’s quite a strange logic that workers are expected to pay more when they have been getting less of a service than before.

“Private train companies are squandering millions every year on shareholder dividends. Chris Grayling should be getting tough on them, not threatening to cut rail workers’ pay.”

This increase comes as TUC analysis earlier this week showed that fares have increased at more than twice the speed of wages since 2008.  The figures show that rail fares have risen by 42% over the past ten years, while nominal weekly earnings have only grown by 18%.

The findings come as the government announces another year of inflation-busting increases for season ticket holders.

TUC analysis published in January showed that UK commuters spend up to six times more of their salary on rail fares than other European passengers.

Despite months of cancellations and delays, private train companies paid out at least £165 million in dividends to their shareholders. The taxpayer handed £3.5bn to these companies last year (2016/17).