Hitting rail commuters with a swath of double-digit rail fare increases will carry "economic and political consequences" for the government, campaigners have warned on the eve of inflation figures that will mean some tickets rise by 13%.

Millions of rail passengers will get an indication of the fare increases due in January when the inflation rate that sets annual price rises is published on Tuesday.

Under the government's austerity drive, from next year season tickets will rise by the rate of retail price index inflation plus 3% until 2014, with room for a further 5% increase on some services. With the RPI due to hit 5% next week, commuters face a 13% increase on certain routes – to the dismay of passenger groups, environmental lobbyists and trade unions.

& for many who work in london there is no option other than to change jobs

Have they re-nationalised the rail service? Or am I missing something?

& for many who work in london there is no option other than to change jobs

Agreed but the problem is that wages outside London are much lower. They might save some of the costs but their income will fall much more.

Not neccesarily.

I worked in City of London (by Lloyds of London building) and my rail fare was like £1200 per year from leafy Surrey.

I decided to change jobs and ended up working within walking distance of my home for just slightly less money so I ended up better of financially and also quality of life improved.

The pertinent question then is : How much bigger were your bills?

Jon

You think that's bad? The EU want to scrap ass rail subsidies, which could cause rail fairs to increase by 50%.

http://www.comparecarhire.co.uk/news/br ... 30319.html

You want to tell me why TOCs should get subsidies? We might as well re-nationalise the railways.

British Rail was reliable and cheap.

All that we have done is created new multimillionaires who own the rolling stock, and have effectively sucked up all the subsidises.