RIP-OFF RAIL FARE INCREASE

RMT members held protests at stations across the country last month as news broke that rail fares will rise by 2.8 per cent in January. The latest rise, set by the July retail price index figure published by the Office for National Statistics, will add more than £100 to many annual season tickets, amid warnings that passengers were being priced off the railway. Labour also said that the average commuter would now be paying more than £3,000 for their season ticket, 40 per cent more than in 2010. The overall cost of train travel has gone up by 46 per cent since 2009, while wages have only grown by 23 per cent, according to TUC analysis of ONS figures. An RMT study of 1,000 people found that most commuters complain of having serious pressure on their monthly finances as a result of expensive train tickets, and that they are forced to cut back on other necessities as a result. Other respondents said that the cost of tickets stops them from visiting family and friends more regularly, and that the high cost of rail travel means that people consider other forms of transport such as cars. Despite the rise in fares the union has complained that private train companies continue to cut and under- recruit workers in both station and onboard roles. Additionally, 60 per cent of commuters said that rail fares offer “poor and awful” value for money, and 73 per cent said that their train company is motivated primarily by making a profit ahead of ensuring a good service for passengers. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that it was a national disgrace that the majority of rail passengers say that rising rail fares have forced them to make cutbacks elsewhere. “Our railways should be run as an affordable and accessible public service and not for private profit. “Rail tsar Keith Williams has said he will prioritise passengers in his rail review. But unless he recommends renationalisation, it will be clear he is merely giving lip service to the idea of improving our railways for the benefit of passengers. “A publicly owned and nationally integrated railway, which was not focused on draining profits from the system, would mean revenue could be reinvested in the network and in making fares affordable for all,” he said. Labour shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald reiterated that Labour would take the railways back into public ownership in order to improve services, cap fares and to make it work for passengers, not shareholders. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2019 :: RMTnews 6 RIP-OFF RAIL FARE INCREASE Union research shows that most travellers are struggling to keep up with ticket prices