First Great Eastern

Below inflation fares increase
_______________________________________________________________

date 8 December 1999
source First Great Eastern
type Press release

note Release: 73/99

'BELOW INFLATION' RAIL PRICE INCREASES-OR NONE AT ALL

First Great Eastern season ticket holders travelling to Liverpool Street face an increase of just 0.8% with the annual fares revision in January. The increase is well below the rate of inflation meaning a cut in real terms in the cost of commuting.

For many travellers, however, who do not travel in the London area there are no increases while some leisure tickets for travel to London such as Cheap Day Returns, will be increased by 1.5%. Travelcards are controlled by London Transport and higher increases will be applied on these fares.

"This is the second year running that season ticket increases gave been capped and it means that once again, we are increasing prices by less than the rate of inflation bringing the cost of commuting down," said Theo Steel, First Great Eastern's sales and marketing director.

The new fares come into effect on 9 January but season tickets may be purchased at the current rate if ordered and paid for by 8 January. Great Eastern is advising customers to avoid the usual post New Year rush - and long queues at the ticket office - by renewing their tickets by post or phone through their Customer Service Centre on 08459 50 50 00.

"This is the busiest time of the year for our ticket offices and inevitably there are long queues but people can avoid this by using other means of renewing their tickets," said Mr. Steel.

The new fares have been welcomed by the statutory rail watchdogs - the Rail Users Consultative Committee for Eastern England - as, after years of real price increases, the cost of rail travel is now falling.

Brian Cooke, Chairman of the Great Eastern sub-committee, said: "We welcome these below inflation increases as for too long the commuter has borne the brunt of price hikes. Now that caps are in place the consumer can look forward to a much better deal.

"The industry has to fund the many improvements it is making and we recognise that but at the same time we believe that the extra revenue which will flow from a reasonable price structure will achieve the same effect. We welcome this news."

Full details of the new fares will not be available until later in the month.

ENDS

Note to editors: For further information contact the press office on 0207 904 3304

Railhub Archive ::: 1999-12-08 FGE-001