SOUTH West Trains (SWT) passengers travelling on the Alton/Farnham to London Waterloo line could be paying up to 20 per cent more from May 20 for off-peak fares. It is the biggest single increase on record and for the sceptics it is viewed as the price passengers will be forced to pay for SWT's new £1.2bn franchise. The announcement which was made on March 9, has left rail user groups shocked at what will be a second above-inflation fare rise in less than four months. The fear is that the hike in fares will push off-peak passengers away from the trains and back into their cars. In defence, according to parent company, Stagecoach, as the operator it was part of the deal with the government that SWT should maximise the revenue from the new 10-year franchise in order to increase capacity and make substantial investment in the network. Stagecoach spokesman, Steve Stewart, said that SWT's announcement concerning changes to the off-peak fare structure was consistent with the proposal agreed with Government which reflected the approach used in other industries where pricing was demand led. Nonetheless, having accepted the first wave of fare increases, which preceded the awarding of the new SWT franchise in February this year, the introduction of a new type of ticket for those travelling towards London in the late morning, has outraged passengers. In a statement SWT explains that the revised "off peak" pricing band will start after the morning peak and before a new "super off peak" period. The more expensive "off peak" times will vary from station to station, but broadly speaking will cover those trains arriving in London between 10am and noon. From May people travelling at this time will pay more than those who delay their journeys yet further to wait for the 'super off-peak' period. Increases will be up to 20 per cent on current off peak fares (Winchester is to rise from £23 to £27.80), with super off peak fares rising by up to 3 per cent. However they will still be substantially cheaper than travelling in the peak – and that is without using any of the Railcard discounts. Normal Railcard discounts will apply to both off- peak and super off-peak fares and SWT will continue to offer value advance purchase fares such as Apex and Super Advance, Saver fares and megatrain.com deals. While peak time fares are regulated and go up each year by one per cent above the rate of inflation, this current price hike will include a 15 to 20 per cent increase in first class travel, due to an increase in passengers travelling first class. Steve Stewart said: "The future of our business depends on trying to attract more new people to rail travel so we would not introduce any measures that we felt would compromise that, but we do need to pay for the running of the railway." The reasoning has failed to gain the approval of Antony Smith of the passenger focus rail group who has accused SWT of seeking to exploit a monopoly market. The concern is that with rail travel by SWT averaging 35 pence a mile it only takes a car share at 38 to 39 pence a mile to make the road a more economical option. According to Chris Campbell, of "Alton Line Users Association" the introduction of a new off-peak structure will mean that the first train in the cheaper fare band would leave Alton at 11.15am to arrive at London Waterloo at just before 12.30pm which, in his opinion, is "too late". But, while the new off-peak fares for Alton and Farnham have yet to be fixed, Mr Campbell's biggest objection is to paying more for a service which, since the change in timetable in December 2004, is at its worst in 40 years. The new fares structure will come into force on May 20, with details of ticket prices available from the beginning of April.
