Big fare rise could be on the cards for rail passengers as RPI hits 4.8%
Responding to the announcement of the Retail Price Index (RPI) figure for July which is usually used to set the following year’s regulated rail fare rise, Ben Plowden, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said:
“Today’s inflation figure could mean a big fare rise for rail passengers next year, especially if the Government decides to go with an above-inflation increase like we saw this year. With the railways now moving under public control, the fundamental question for the Government is how to use its role in setting fares policy to deliver a more affordable rail network and encourage more people to travel on it. Next year’s annual rise represents the first real opportunity for the Government to show passengers – both current and future – just how it plans to do this.”
ENDS
See potential 2026 season ticket costs into London
See potential 2026 season tickets costs into regional stations
For further information please contact the press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk.
Notes to Editors
- The RPI figure for July 2025 was 4.8%.
- The annual fare rise is usually pegged to the previous July’s RPI figure. Last year, the Government chose to raise fares by RPI+1% meaning fares rose by 4.6% (July 2024’s RPI figure was 3.6%).
- Regulated rail fares, including standard day returns, season tickets and most commuter fares, make up almost half (45 per cent) of all fares and increases are set by the Government.
- Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life and protects the environment. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).
| Fare rise | RPI | CPI | Date rise came into effect | |
| 2016 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 0.0% | 02/01/2016 |
| 2017 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 0.7% | 02/01/2017 |
| 2018 | 3.6% | 3.6% | 2.6% | 02/01/2018 |
| 2019 | 3.2% | 3.2% | 2.5% | 02/01/2019 |
| 2020 | 2.8% | 2.8% | 2.1% | 02/01/2020 |
| 2021 | 2.6% | 1.6% | 1.0% | 01/03/2021 |
| 2022 | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.0% | 01/03/2022 |
| 2023 | 5.9%* | 12.3% | 10.1% | 05/03/2023 |
| 2024 | 4.9% | 9.0% | 6.8% | 03/03/2024 |
| 2025 | 4.6% | 3.6% | 2.2% | 02/03/2025 |
| 2026 | TBC | 4.8% | 3.8% | TBC |
* Aligned to July 2022’s average earnings growth instead of RPI
