Train fares rise across Warrington - biggest hike since 2013

Fares in England and Wales rose this weekend by nearly six per cent, which is the steepest increase in a decade.

It was recently revealed by the Warrington Guardian that train services operate more reliably in war-torn Ukraine than they do in Warrington at the moment.

Fares across Warrington are to go up by 5.9 per cent (Image: Newsquest)

Some operators have begun defending the fare increases by stating that ticket prices will go up by 'pence, not pounds' - though this will come as little comfort to those already feeling the pinch during the cost-of-living crisis.

The 5.9 per cent rise in rail fare is a blanket rise across all operators in England and Wales, and will impact commuters travelling through - or from - any of the stations in Warrington.

Some of the operators this will impact include Avanti West Coast and Northern, two of the largest operators in Warrington, and the country.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian about the rail ticket price hikes, Chris Jackson, regional director of Northern, said: "The increase in rail fares of 5.9 per cent is a national increase that applies across the industry.

"As an operator of largely local stopping services, the vast majority of our customers travel relatively short distances on comparatively low-value tickets. As such, the majority of fare changes on our services can be measured in pence, not pounds.

"While this fare increase was a national decision, Northern has tried to mitigate the impact on some of our customers by introducing 3,000 new Advance Purchase journeys on routes not previously available, which is a tactic we can deploy locally to provide great value tickets on specific routes if booked before the day of travel."

Avanti West Coast was contacted for comment by the Warrington Guardian but deflected the request onto the Rail Delivery Group.

When the RDG was contacted regarding this story, a spokesperson directed comment requests to the Department for Transport.

When pressed on the matter, an RDG spokesperson said: "As the Department for Transport announced in December 2022, rail fares will rise by 5.9 per cent. 

"The Government’s decision to hold fares down below current inflation is understandable.

"It is important that fares are set at a level that is appropriate for both the industry and its customers. "

Rail Minister, Huw Merriman told the Warrington Guardian: “It has been a difficult year and people are feeling the pinch which is why – through the biggest ever Government intervention – we capped the rise well below inflation and delayed it coming into force.”

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