Chancellor shares good news for commuters before Budget
Millions of commuters across the UK will benefit from a freeze on rail fares for the first time in 30 years, the Chancellor and Transport Secretary have announced.
Making the announcement ahead of Wednesday’s much-anticipated autumn Budget, the pair claimed this move would go some way to “helping with the cost of living and supporting economic growth.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the decision to freeze rail fares, including season tickets, is baked into her Autumn Statement and commuters on more expensive routes will save more than £300 per year.
Delivering the country’s priorities based on “fair choices”
Reeves said her Budget will be based on “fair choices” to deliver on the country’s priorities to cut NHS waiting lists, cut national debt and cut the cost of living.
The news on rail fares comes as the nation’s rail network prepares to come under the publicly-owned management of Great British Railway.
Reeves said: “This week at the Budget I’ll set out the fair choices to deliver on the country’s priorities to cut NHS waiting lists, cut national debt and cut the cost of living.
“That’s why we’re choosing to freeze rail fares for the first time in 30 years, which will ease the pressure on household finances and make travelling to work, school or to visit friends and family that bit easier.”
Great British Railways – new public management of the nation’s track and trains
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so we’re freezing fares to help millions of passengers save money.
“Commuters on more expensive routes will save more than £300 per year, meaning they keep more of their hard-earned cash.
“This is part of our wider plans to rebuild Great British Railways the public can be proud of and rely on.”
Welcome news for regular rail users
CEO of Campaign for Better Transport, Ben Plowden, said: “We know that cost is the number one concern for people wanting to travel by train, so it is very welcome that fares will be frozen next year as we have been calling for.
“As well as helping households with the cost of living, this will enable more people to choose rail, reducing traffic on our roads, benefitting the economy, helping the environment, and connecting communities across the country.
“One of the government’s six objectives for the reformed railways is that they should be affordable. As plans for Great British Railways gather pace, this is a positive sign that affordability for passengers is being given the high priority it deserves.”
