§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many rail fares have, since 1 January 1998,(a) increased by more than 5 per cent., (b) increased by 3 to 5 per cent., (c) increased by 0 to 3 per cent., (d) remained unchanged and (e) decreased. [62889]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThis information is not available in the form requested.
Under the Railways Act 1993 the regulation of fares is a matter for the Franchising Director. The Franchising Director regulates at least one fare between any two points on the network. Other fares, particularly discounted fares for off-peak travel, are set by the train operators. The Government have recently conducted research into the effects of fares regulation, based upon the fare actually paid by the passenger. The increase in average fares paid for 1995–96 and 1996–97 was 2.36 per cent, marginally below the RPI of 2.40 per cent. The increase between 1996–97 and 1997–98 was 3 per cent, below the RPI figure of 4 per cent. Between 1995–96 and 1996–97, the rate of increase in average fare paid fell below RPI for the first time since 1989–90.