Straight answers: Your rail fare explained
Where does money from my fare go?
Money from rail fares helps to run and improve the network, making the trains better for everyone. The overall level of fares is heavily influenced by governments, which have to decide how much they want passengers to pay towards the railway and how much they want taxpayers to pay.
Between 2004-2013 governments of all colours decided to increase fares above inflation so that passengers pay a bigger share now than they used to, and taxpayers a smaller share. Now, fares rise in line with RPI inflation - the measure trades unions use as the basis for pay negotiations.
While different rail companies have different costs, below is a depiction of how money from your fare is invested back into the railway.
Why do fare prices change every year?
Fares change each year to reflect the increasing cost of running the railway. Just like any other business, inflation means running costs increase. For example, staff get pay rises and the cost of buying electricity to run trains increases. If fares did not change, these additional costs would eat into money available to make the trains better.
What big changes do you want?
Rail companies are calling for big changes but what matters to you?
