Rail travellers in Britain start new year with higher fares

Higher rail fares were introduced across Britain Monday, meaning the cost of commuting will be higher for millions of commuters.

Most will face paying more since the start to return to work after the Christmas and New Year holiday.

Rail companies will be charging an extra 2.3 percent more on average. The higher charges cover regulated fares, including season tickets, and off-peak tickets.

According to a research by the main opposition Labor party, some rail commuters will now pay around 2,500 U.S.dollars a year more to travel to work than in 2010.

Travel weary passengers took to social media to vent their anger at having to dig deeper into their pockets.

Some called for rail and bus public transport systems to return to public ownership.

Lianna Etkind, from the Campaign for Better Transport group, said: "Today's fare rises are another kick in the teeth for long-suffering rail passengers. Many experienced a less frequent and more overcrowded service last year, and now they are required to pay more for the same this year."

The group describes train fares in Britain as the most expensive in Europe.

"People up and down the UK are being priced off our railways unable to use the train to get to work. Our Government is responsible as it regulates 60 percent of train fares and these have increased by 25 percent since 2010. Unregulated train fares can rise even further," said a spokesman for the group.

Paul Plummer of the Rail Delivery Group which represents train operators, said: "Increases to season tickets are set by government. Money from fares is helping to sustain investment in the longer, newer trains and more punctual journeys that passengers want."

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "We are delivering the biggest rail modernization program for more than a century, providing more seats and services. We have always fairly balanced the cost of this investment between the taxpayer and the passenger."

In November, London mayor Sadiq Khan has frozen fares across the Transport for London (TfL) network until 2020. The pay freeze affects services on London Underground, the Docklands Light Railway and TfL-funded rail services. Khan says it will save an average 250 U.S.dollars over the next four years.

More disruption continued Monday on Southern Railway, used by hundreds of thousands of people for their daily commute into London from towns and cities surrounding the capital.

A 72-hour strike by train conductors entered its third day on Monday, with another strike planned for January 9 in a row over plans to use drivers instead of conductors to open and close train doors. Endit