RAIL fares have increased at twice the
speed of wages since 2010, according to new analysis released today by the RMT
on the eve of the Government announcement on the latest fare hike. The
analysis shows that rail fares have risen by around 32% in 8 years, while
average weekly earnings have only grown by 16%. The rises mean for example
that a new Nurse or Police Officer, commuting from Chelmsford to London, where
annual season ticket would cost ₤4000, after the latest rise, would pay twenty%
of their salary on an annual season ticket. The findings come as the Government
is set to announce another round of regulated rail fare hikes for the coming
year.
They will be warning that passengers are paying:- "more for less" because
even as fares rise rail engineering work is being delayed or cancelled, skilled
railway jobs are being lost and staff are being cut on trains, stations and
ticket offices.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:- "Government policy of suppressing
workers' wages while at the same time presiding over corporate welfare on our
privatized railway has resulted in a toxic combination of fare rises easily
outstripping wages. The private operators and Government say the rises are
necessary to fund investment, but the reality is that they are pocketing the
profits while passengers are paying more for less with rail engineering work
being delayed or cancelled, skilled railway jobs being lost and staff cut on
trains, stations and at ticket offices."
