Rail passengers hit with another blow with more fare hikes (From Gazette)

Rail passengers hit with another blow with more fare hikes

3:00pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Harwich & Manningtree By Helen Barnett

THE GOVERNMENT’S announcement to raise the cap on rail fares is rubbing salt into the wounds of passengers, a rail association has said.

The government has confirmed that rail fares will rise to inflation plus three per cent in 2013 and 2014.

They were reduced to inflation plus one per cent for 2012.

Manningtree Rail Users Association said that financial inefficiencies within the rail industry should be addressed to save money, rather than hiking prices.

If inflation is kept within government targets of two per cent, a season ticket from Harwich to London will rise by at least £245 to £5,145 next year.

Meanwhile Manningtree to London would rise from £4,860 to £5,103.

A spokesman for the Department for Transport agreed efficiencies needed to be made.