Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to limit changes to rail fares for commuters in 2015; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is taking action to support hardworking families by lowering the cost of travelling to workplaces and schools. The cost of regulated rail fares for 2015 will be capped at inflation, removing the previously planned increase of rail fares of RPI plus 1%. Furthermore, for 2015, train operating companies will no longer be able to increase individual fares by up to 2% more than the permitted increase.

The Government has therefore protected passengers by taking 3% off the maximum increase for a regulated fare. Over a quarter of million season ticket holders will benefit from this move – saving on average £75 for 2014 and 2015.