Currently, some fares are regulated by the Government, which controls their price, while others are not, and train operators are free to set them on a commercial basis. Around 45 per cent of rail fares are ‘regulated', with increases directly influenced by Government policy. This includes season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance journeys and Anytime tickets around major cities.
Train fare revenue is crucial to funding day-to-day railway operations and rail investment, which benefits passengers. For instance, rail operators have been investing in more trains, better stations and faster journeys. Any rise in rail fares helps to allow this to be maintained.
Nevertheless, I appreciate that fare prices may be of concern to some people and that is why the Government has frozen increases in regulated rail fares in real terms for the past seven years. Whilst there is currently some press speculation around rail fare increases for 2022, I understand the Government has not yet made a decision on ticket price increases. Indeed, the Department for Transport is currently considering a range of options as part of a "rail recovery" package aimed at getting passengers back on the network. The Government also recognises that changes in people's work patterns, particularly in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, need to be reflected and accommodated in a more flexible style of working and travelling.
Reforms that have already been enhanced include a simplified ticketing system, with the rollout of new flexible season tickets to reflect new working and travel patterns, as well as pay as you go, contactless ticketing and digital ticketing on smartphones.
In the meantime, it may also be useful to know that there is already a number of concessionary travel schemes available – in particular, two new railcards for young people are on sale and the Government has just brought in a Veterans’ railcard. More details on these can be found at the following link: www.railcard.co.uk