Commuters face fares rise

Rail commuters are facing an inflation-busting rise in fares — because their trains are running on time.

Coming as commuter fares go up nationally by an average four per cent, it means many will have to pay an extra eight per cent when they renew their season tickets next month.

For the past four years services from the Kent coast have been so bad, season ticket holders qualified for a five per cent discount.

Now that time-keeping has improved they must pay the full price — just as the national fare increase comes into force.

While the Kent services were run by Connex they were so poor they fell below the 82per cent figure which triggered the discount for monthly and longer season ticket renewals.

Last year Connex was sacked and the franchise put under public control while a new private sector owner was being found. Since then the service, run by South Eastern Trains, has got steadily better. And from Sunday the performance figure will creep above the 82 per cent “trigger” figure — by 0.5 per cent.

On the Kent Coast routes, serving Cannon Street, Charing Cross and Victoria, the average fare rise will be three per cent plus five per cent because the trains are now on time. This means that season ticket holders — and most of the 40,000 commuters are — will pay an extra eight per cent, nearly three times the rate of inflation.

Those travelling from Ramsgate, Deal and Dover will pay an extra £134, just to cover the lost five per cent discount. The cost of a season ticket, including the three per cent rise already announced, will rise from £2,736 to £2,952 — an extra £216 overall. From Ashford the price goes up by £216 to £2,800 — £138 because of the lost discount-plus £78 for the annual increase. Passengers travelling from Folkestone will find the cost increases by £214 to £2,912 — £133 for the lost discount and £81 for the annual rise.

From Tonbridge a yearly season goes up by £175 to £2,364 — £109 for the lost discount and £66 for the annual rise.

The loss of discount applies to longer SET routes, not the local suburban services which have not yet reached required performance levels.

SET managing director Michael Holden admits the improvements are a financial blow for commuters but added: “It is a sign of recovery, the service is getting better.”

But Cynthia Hay of passenger pressure group Capital Transport said: “The minimum figure was set far too low when the railways were sold off as a sop to aid the whole privatisation process.”

The improvements across SET routes have reignited the campaign to keep the busy franchise under public control.