Image: Network Rail

Rail fares across the country are to increase by an average of 3.1% from January 2nd, despite a year of disruption for many commuters on the network.

The rise, announced by industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), is set by the Government and is in-line with July’s Retail Price Index (RPI) of 3.2%.

The company said that customers will contribute to ‘the biggest investment in the railway since Victorian times’ with one billion pounds being spent on the Midland Main Line Upgrade.

In the East Midlands, East Midlands Trains have said their average increase will amount to 2.7%, below the RPI rate.

“money from fares is underpinning the improvements to the railway that passengers want”

paul plummer, rail development group chief executive

Nottingham commuters, however, are unimpressed with today’s announcement as figures have shown East Midlands Trains are increasingly failing to provide the planned number of carriages on trains, and only 43.7% arrived to destination later than scheduled.

Delays in the east Midlands are higher now than they’ve been in three years (1.1%)
245 trains had less carriages than planned in the last period
Cancellations have decreased in the last four periods to 1.4% from 2.0%

Independent watchdog Transport Focus found recently that fewer that 45% of passengers are satisfied with rail services and think they are good value for money.

But in a statement, Paul Plummer, chief executive of RDG said: “Nobody wants to pay more to travel, especially those who experienced significant disruption earlier this year.

“Money from fares is underpinning the improvements to the railway that passengers want and which ultimately help boost the wider economy.

“That means more seats, extra services and better connections right across the country.”