Unfair Rail Fares

Those of us living in Brighton and Hove who need to take a combined bus and rail trip can use a couple of helpful tickets: you buy the ticket on your first bus journey of the day, and it’s then valid for all Brighton and Hove buses, together with a return rail journey anywhere on either of the two main train companies which serve the city. There’s a First Capital Connect Saver and a Southern Saver. The former costs £15, the latter £12.50. But not for long. From 2 January 2011, train fares across the UK will increase by inflation-busting percentages. But the price increases for these two Savers are record breakers: the FCC Saver increases to £18, the Southern Saver to £14. In each case, an increase of a staggering 20%. So much for encouraging sustainable transport and “fair pricing for rail travel.”