First Capital Connect defends fare increases (From This Is Local London)

First Capital Connect defends fare increases

11:45am Tuesday 25th November 2008 in News By Alexandra Barham

A train operator has hit back at critics who have attacked the company's decision to raise it's fare prices to above inflation rates arguing that it is keeping it's prices in line with other rail companies.

First Capital Connect (FCC) is increasing its regulated fares (season tickets and peak day tickets) by six per cent on the Thameslink line connecting St Albans, Harpenden and Radlett to London as well as raising off peak and first class travel fares by nine per cent.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Sandy Walkington called for rail fare prices to be frozen after learning that commuters will be forced to spend considerably more on travel by January next year.

He labelled the inflation busting prices as 'completely unjustified', claiming that annual season ticket holders will be expected to cough up an extra £148, while those travelling from Harpenden would be hit with an extra £165.

But the train operator insists its ticket prices are set by the rate of inflation adding that its travel fares are in keeping with industry averages.

Gareth Beazant, spokesman for FCC, said: "All train operators set their regulated fares by the Retail Price Index (RPI) in July which this year was five per cent. Next July it could be a lot lower and the new fares would reflect this.

"First Capital Connect's fares are still very much in line with other UK train operators."