Protest at Lime Street Station as rail fares rise
Rail passengers face paying up to 1.9% more for regulated train fares next year.
Rail passengers face paying up to 1.9% more for regulated train fares next year.
The maximum rise matches today's Retail Price Index figure.
According to the TUC, fares have increased at double the speed of wages since 2010, with fares having risen by 25% in the last six years, while average weekly earnings have grown by 12%.
A number of protesters gathered at stations across ahead of the announcement, to call for a freeze on prices.
Lynn Collins from the North West TUC told Radio City News:
"We know, over the last six years, rail fares have increased in excess of wages. That affects all workers who have to travel on railways and commute for their jobs. They're paying more for their rail fares, and getting an inferior service."
Around half of rail fares are regulated, including season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance trips and Anytime tickets around major cities.
As fares for passengers rise, dividends paid to shareholders of private train companies have risen by 21% in the last year to £222 million, said the unions.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said:
"Once more the passengers and taxpayers will wonder why they must pay more for an increasingly poor service.
"When will the Government and the Department for Transport listen to those impacted by daft decisions and what is patently only good for the vested interests?''
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said:
"The rail privatisation racket is robbing the British people day in and day out.
"The train companies trouser billions while starving our rail infrastructure of the investment it so desperately needs.
"With the train companies queuing up to slash jobs and working conditions, at a time of dangerous overcrowding, it is a scandal that they are getting yet another fare hike.
"Private profit is being placed above rail safety.''
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said:
"Our rail fares are already the highest in Europe and today's increases will only make that record worse.
"It's time that ministers gave rail passengers a break and actually froze fares in real terms.
"Fares on the most popular routes have jumped by more than 245% since rail was privatised 20 years ago.
"Running a publicly owned railway would end this annual mugging of passengers and give us a network run in the interests of passengers and staff.''