Why is my train ticket becoming more expensive?

Train fare rises are always a controversial issue.

The PA news agency answers 10 key questions about this year’s increase.

– What is happening?

Train fares in England and Wales will increase by up to 5.9% on average from Sunday.

– What about Scotland?

ScotRail fares are frozen until the end of March and no decision has been announced about future plans.

– Who determines how much more expensive my train ticket will be?

The cap on regulated fare rises is controlled by the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments.

– What tickets are regulated?

Some season tickets, off-peak return tickets and flexible tickets for travel around major cities.

– How are increases usually calculated?

They are traditionally linked to the previous July’s Retail Price Index measure of inflation, which in 2022 was 12.3%.

– What about this year?

The Westminster and Welsh Government aligned this year’s rises with July’s average earnings growth, which was 5.9%.

– What about unregulated fares?

These fares are expected to rise by a similar amount.

Although the fares are set by operators, their decisions are heavily influenced by governments after they took on financial liabilities.

– Where does the money go?

The Rail Delivery Group says 98p of every £1 spent on train tickets goes towards running and maintaining services.

– Is there any way of avoiding the rise in fares?

Savvy commuters renewed their season tickets in the days before the annual increase.

– Any other tips on limiting the cost of train travel?

Passengers can save money by getting a railcard, travelling off-peak, and booking in advance – although these options are not available for many journeys, particularly those made by commuters.