§ Mr. RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average cost per mile of rail travel based on standard return fares in each EU country. [64647]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThis information is not available.
§ Mr. RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the percentage price increase for(a) peak and (b) off peak journeys for each of the privatised rail company areas in each year since privatisation. [64651]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThis information is not held centrally in the form requested. Rail fares are set by individual Train Operating Companies (TOCs) subject only to limits on increases which the Franchising Director applies to the fares he regulates. The general limit on regulated fares from January 1999 is minus 1 per cent. on the movement in the Retail Prices Index (i.e. the maximum regulated fare increase is 2.5 per cent.). For London Commuter TOCs, the limit varies depending on performance and the average maximum regulated fare increase for 1999 for those is 1.9 per cent. (1.6 per cent. below inflation). There have been many instances of individual unregulated fares being increased above the rate of inflation. Nevertheless, research shows that the average price paid per mile by passengers in 1997–98 was 13.4 pence and this was an increase of 3 per cent. (1 per cent. below inflation) on 1996–97. The research is based on tickets actually sold so 1998–99 data are not yet available, but the Franchising Director will continue to monitor the situation.