MERSEYRAIL, the busiest underground rail network outside London, is increasing its fares from January 2.
But the company say their fares will remain the lowest in the country. In a statement posted on its website, Merseyrail says some train fares will rise in the new year.
The average increase among all daily tickets will be 5p, off-peak fares will go up by around 10p and peak fares in the region of 20p.
Merseyrail’s overall average price increase is around 1.5 per cent less than the figure for the average national price hike, which stands at 3.9 per cent.
Bargain
“Our fares will remain the lowest nationally,” trumpets the train operator.
The fare changes will take effect on January 2, 2013, with the fare rises complying with the increase in Retail Price Index plus 0 per cent, as stipulated in the concession agreement Merseyrail has with the local transport authority, Merseytravel.
To be fare (sorry) to Merseyrail, commuters across the area might groan at the prospect of having to pay a few bob a week extra for their daily commute. But the fares, and the increase here are a bargain compared to some parts of the UK where commuters have to dig deep.
Depending on who you speak to, Merseyrail is one of the most efficient rail networks in the UK. It is operated by Abellio (formerly NedRailways) in a 50-50 joint venture with another rail giant, Serco.
Rocketing train fares around the UK have seen demonstrations at some stations, mainly in the London area. Travel out of the low-cost Merseytravel zone and you could be paying higher fares, with the cost of a Liverpool to Manchester season ticket increasing by well over £100, according to one campaign group.
