train fares could rise even higher than we thought - here's how much

Train tickets in England got 4.6% more expensive this year thanks to the RPI figure in July 2024 (Picture: EPA)

Rail fares in England could increase by 5.8% next year after new government figures showed inflation remains stubbornly high.

Regulated ticket prices are usually set based on July’s Retail Prices Index (RPI),one of the UK’s main inflation measures.

This year’s hike of 4.6% was one percentage point above the RPI figure for July 2024.

But this morning,it was announced that last month’s RPI was 4.8% – meaning if the same approach is taken,prices would rise by 5.8%.

The cost of a season ticket from Woking in Surrey,south-west of London,to the centre of the capital would increase by £247 to £4,507 as a result.

Last week,campaigners blasted a potential 5.5% rise in fares,based on a prediction of July’s RPI,as ‘outrageous’ – but the true inflation figure has proved to be 0.3% higher.