Railways: Fares
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 38420 on Railways: Fylde, what the evidential basis is that the increase in most regulated rail fares announced on 2 March 2025 represented a fair balance between passengers and taxpayers.
Answered by Simon Lightwood
A proportionate, annual increase in fares is necessary to support crucial investment and to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the railway.
Regarding performance-based fares increases, any changes to fares policy requires balancing against the potential impacts on passengers and taxpayers. If the rail industry is inadequately funded in the short term it will lack the capacity and performance to deliver long-term ambitions of financial sustainability, modal shift and helping to deliver the UK’s net zero target.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →