Government pledge on rail fares

INFLATION-BUSTING fare increases on cross-Border and other English train services will be phased out by cutting other rail costs, the UK government pledged yesterday.

Passengers travelling with firms such as East Coast and Virgin face rises of 3 per cent above inflation next January and in 2014, but ministers said such hikes would be reduced “as soon as possible”.

ScotRail fare rises are pegged at 1 per cent above inflation.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening also raised the possibility of new “high peak” fares to ease commuter congestion south of the Border.The plans were announced as the UK government’s response to an independent report on cutting rail costs, to which Scottish Government ministers have yet to react.