COMMUTERS face feeling the new year squeeze as a price hike in train fares, n excess of the rate of inflation, comes into force in January. Last week, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) announced that South West Trains users will be be forced to fork out an extra 4.3 per cent hike on regulated fares. And the news is worse for off-peak travellers, as unregulated fares are set to increase by 5.3 per cent - two per cent more than the rate of inflation. A nationwide increase sees regulated fares - which include season tickets and saver tickets - imposed upon train companies by the Department of Transport. However, unregulated fares, which include cheap day returns, long distance open and some advance purchase fares, have risen by varying amounts according to each train operator. With the national average at 4.7 per cent, a South West Trains spokesperson explained the rise, arguing that passengers will benefit in the long run. "Our unregulated fare price is not as high as some other operators, and it is still competitive. "Of course nobody likes paying more for travel, but what we are trying to do is to continue to offer value for money. "It is in our interest to remain competitive when we are pricing this, as at peak times we are against other modes of transport. "On our network the increase will be used to help fund improvements across the railway. These include the introduction of 17 new trains, station refurbishments and improvements on punctuality. We've also been hitting 90 per cent performance figures." George Muir, Director General of ATOC, said: "While no-one likes to pay more for their travel, we need the revenue to pay for the ongoing improvements to the railways that passengers expect – and overall satisfaction levels are now at an all time high of 80 per cent. Train operators will continue to raise their game, delivering further improvements to the railway and enhancing the travel experience of passengers. "Rail travel is proving very popular with more passengers travelling this year. "The challenge now is to get extra capacity onto the railway and route plans are under way to this end."
