Public transport groups have described a possible 5.5% increase in England's traifs next year as “outrageous.”
The measure of the inflation of the July Retail Price Index (RPI), which is often used to determine the increases in the cost of train trips, will be announced on Wednesday.
The Government has not confirmed how it will determine the limit of the regulated rate by 2026, but the 4.6% increase this year was a percentage point above RPI in July 2024.
The Investte Banking Group has predicted the RPI figure of July this year will be 4.5%, which means that rates could jump by 5.5%.
Bruce Williamson, spokesman for the Railfuture pressure group, told the AP news agency “that it would be outrageous” if the rates increased so much.
He said: “What would be the justification for increasing rates above inflation? There are none.
“It is starting the customer, away from the people of the trains and in our congested road network, which is not of interest.”
Williamson said he would support the government that marks its nationalization of trains operators by freezing rates.
He continued: “One would expect some efficiency savings and economies of scale that you get by having a more integrated railroad.
“But, of course, I firmly suspect that if there is any savings to have, the treasure would swallow it and would not go back to the passengers, which I think is wrong.”
Ben Plowden, executive director of the Lobby group campaign for better transport, said: “Ascent rates are not only carrying passengers, but are putting people out of railway trips.
“Our survey found that 71% of people would be more likely to take the train if the rates were cheaper.
“Public support for nationalization falls into fall if rates continue to increase, so as the Government progresses to Great British Railways (GBR) plans, you must take the opportunity to reform rates and make railway trips more affordable.”
GBR is a next public sector agency that will supervise the railway infrastructure of Great Britain and train operation.
About 45% of rates on the Railways of Great Britain are regulated by the Westminster, Scottish and Welsh governments.
They include seasonal tickets on most vicinity trips, some out -of -peak return tickets on long -distance routes and flexible tickets to travel in the main cities.
The Department of Transportation (DFT) said there will be an update on changes in regulated rates at the end of this year.
Operators establish increases in unregulated rates, although they are likely to be very close to regulated tickets because their decisions are strongly influenced by governments.
A DFT spokesman said: “The Secretary of Transportation has made it clear that his number one priority is to take the railroads to a place where people can trust them.
“The government is putting passengers in the hearts of their public property plans and large British railroads, providing the services they deserve and promoting growth.
“Decisions on railway rates of next year have not been made, but our goal is that prices balance the affordability for both passengers and taxpayers.”
