England to reduce inflation on rail fares

The government said that train fares in England will be lower than the rate of inflation next year to help people with the cost of living crisis.

The normal formula is RPI plus 1%. The RPI in June was 11.8%, but it is not known what the increase will be next year.

Rail fare increases are usually introduced on the first working day of the year but have been delayed until March every year since the Covid epidemic.

State-owned operator Translink doesn't use RPI to set rail services in Northern Ireland. The Scottish government hasn't announced its plan for next year. Wales usually matches changes made in England.

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said the government is taking decisive action to reduce the impact of inflation on rail fares during the cost of living crisis and will not increase fares as much as the July RPI figure.

We are temporarily freezing fares for passengers to travel at a lower price for the entire month of January and February, as we continue to take measures to help struggling households. As more people worked from home, the number of passengers dropped as more people worked from home, and numbers have remained well below pre-Covid levels.