Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of intercity fares are in the unregulated category; and what the average percentage increase was in those fares over the last five years.

The ORR publish annual statistics measuring the change in prices charged by train operating companies to rail passengers, normally introduced in March of each year. According to ORR data regulated fares make up around 30 per cent of rail expenditure. On intercity routes this includes season tickets, where they are offered, and off-peak returns. Where there are no return fares, the off-peak single fare is regulated.

Between 2019/20 and 2024/25, nominal regional unregulated standard fares have risen by 24 per cent with regional unregulated first-class fares rising by 26 per cent. Over the same period nominal regional regulated standard fares have risen by 21 per cent.

Over the same period, nominal Long Distance unregulated standard fares have risen by 24 per cent with long distance unregulated first-class fares rising by 33 per cent. Over the same period nominal Long Distance regulated standard fares have risen by 24 per cent.