'Appalling' Connex cuts ticket prices

Tens of thousands of London rail commuters may find this hard to believe, but there is better news on the way. Connex, which serves London's busiest routes, is to cut the cost of season tickets next month.

The downside, of course, is that fares are coming down because the train service has been so appalling.

It means, for instance, that an annual season ticket from Dartford presently costing £1,200 comes down to £1,026 and from Tunbridge Wells, now costing £2,360, to £2,242.

Connex said that fares to some stations will be 39 per cent cheaper than 10 years ago. But the reductions will depend on where you travel from and how bad your service has been. The company cites a seven-day season ticket from Hayes in Kent to London which will cost £17 compared to £21.10 a decade ago. Olivier Brousse, Connex chief executive, said: "We share the frustrations of many of our passengers and our peak fares reflect this. But many people may be surprised to see the stark difference in price between travelling now and 10 years ago."

However, the cost of the combined all-zones one-day and seven-day travelcards will rise by an average of two per cent to reflect the increase being charged by London Underground.

'Tube deal' back in spotlight