Inflation busting fare increases (again)

On Friday, Southeastern announced its annual rail fare increases, to start on 5 January 2009:

From January next year Southeastern's regulated fares (e.g. season tickets, standard returns) will increase by an average of eight per cent.

This is based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) + three per cent formula set out in our franchise agreement with the Department for Transport (DfT), awarded in April 2006.

It is an average increase, so some fares will rise by less, others by more.

My annual season ticket is one of those that is 'more', at 9.9%.

It would seem that all Southeastern passengers are paying for the high-speed domestic rail link which will start running in December 2009, even if they won't be using it or gaining any benefit from it.

From BBC Kent:

A rail company which is increasing regulated fares by an average of 8% next year - 2% more than the national average - is promising value for money.

Southeastern said the rise was in line with government policy for passengers to pay more and taxpayers to pay less.

The firm was given a different fare calculation because of high-speed services to be launched next year.

From the Evening Standard:

AN MP today warned of riots by rail passengers after fares were increased by more than twice the rate of inflation.

For anyone who has a 'question' for Southeastern's managers, they will be at Cannon Street station on 4 December, from 8am.