Action day over rail ticket rises

Unions, transport campaigners and rail passenger groups have launched a day of action to protest at “massive” fare increases and cuts to jobs and services.

Demonstrations will be held at railway stations across the country today to coincide with news of another fare increase.

The government is allowing train firms to raise fares by 
3 per cent more than retail price index inflation from January, based on July’s inflation figure, which is published today.

Bob Crow, leader of the Rail Maritime and Transport union, said passengers would be “rightly angry” when they find out the full extent of inflation-busting fare increases imposed on them by government “diktat”.

Unions have warned some fares might jump by 11 per cent from the New Year, while most rush-hour travel, season tickets and off-peak fares will rise by well above the rate of inflation.

Up to 20,000 jobs in the rail industry are at risk under cost-cutting proposals, which will hit station staff, guards, catering and ticket offices, unions said.

Union officials at today’s protests will step up demands for the railways to be returned to public ownership. Protests will be held at more than 40 stations today, including Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.