Gainsborough: New year sees a price hike for train tickets

Regulated fares, including season tickets, have risen by up to 2.5 per cent but this is the lowest increase for five years.

Gainsborough has two train stations, Gainsborough Central which is managed by Northern Rail and Lea Road Station which is managed by East Midlands Trains.

A Northern Rail spokesperson said: “UK rail fares will rise by an average of 2.2 per cent.”

“This is the equivalent of around 10 to 20p per single journey on the Northern network.”

“Money raised through fares goes on to invest in improvements to stations, trains and services.”

“This includes investment in routes across the north which leads to newer trains and faster journey times.”

“Our customers will also benefit from improved communication at stations, more ticket buying opportunities and upgraded facilities including the first on-train Wi-Fi project in West Yorkshire.”

“During this short franchise, over £6m will be invested to improve facilities for our customers.”

“We will, as always, continue to work with the Government and the wider rail industry to drive down the cost of running the railway so it can provide long-term value for money for passengers and taxpayers.”

East Midlands Trains have confirmed fares will rise by an average of 1.3 per cent, which is significantly below the current rate of inflation.

David Horne, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains, said: “We are pleased to have cut the cost of travel in real terms for our customers.”

“Money from fares goes towards running and maintaining the railway which benefits every household in the country, by improving journeys, creating employment and helping to boost the economy. “

“Over the next five years, Network Rail is spending on average £27m a day building and maintaining a better railway that benefits passengers, communities and businesses across Britain alongside commitments made by train companies to improve services.”

As well as paying for the running of the day-to-day rail network, fares are helping fund a massive programme of investment across the East Midlands Trains network.

Martin Abrams, from the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Yet again, the Government is hiking up commuter rail fares.”

“Ticket prices are rising much faster than wages, which means getting to work takes up an increasing share of incomes, hitting both household budgets and the economy.”

“The Government urgently needs to adopt a fairer approach to ticketing, bringing fares down and introducing more flexible tickets.”