RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2017 :: RMTnews 8 CUT FARES NOT GUARDS Rail fares rising almost twice as fast as wages but cuts mean passengers are paying more for less Rail fares have increased at twice the speed of wages since 2010, according to new analysis released by the union as the government announced the latest fare hike of 3.6 per cent. The analysis shows that rail fares have risen by around 32 per cent in eight years, while average weekly earnings have only grown by 16 per cent. The latast fare hike announced this month means a minimum of an extra £337 million in revenue for the private Train Operating Companies. According to the ORR, train companies collected £9.384 billion from fares in 2015-16. This is the most recently available figure. Only regulated fares will go up by 3.6 per cent, unregulated fares will go up by more which is why the £337 million is a minimum. The rises mean for example