With ticket prices set to increase again next year, Bath’s MP, Wera Hobhouse, has called for a rail fare freeze.
New figures released last week (20 August) indicate that regulated rail fares are set to rise 5.8% in 2026-27 should the government choose to follow existing policy and increase fares in line with July’s Retail Price Index (RPI).
This means commuters between Bath Spa and London Paddington face an eye-watering increase of £754.93 per year, making the overall cost of an annual season ticket £13,771.
The Lib-Dem MP has consistently been a strong opponent against unjust fare hikes, repeatedly calling for fares to be frozen, as well as urging for a review of the ticketing system.
Her calls follow data from the Office for Rail and Road showing that over 70 trains through Bath were cancelled in just four weeks at the beginning of the year.
These statistics revealed serious problems with cancellations across the South West, with 1.8% of the 3,902 scheduled services not stopping at Bath Spa station between the 5th of January and 1st of February this year.
That’s up to three trains every day simply being cut from the timetables with no or little notice, causing stress, inconvenience and frustration for ordinary travellers.
Mrs Hobhouse has been pushing in Parliament to improve service performance in Bath, arguing that residents should not have to pay costly ticket fares for unreliable services.
Commenting on the rail fare rise, Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath said:
“At a time of rising cancellations and in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, commuters shouldn’t be expected to fork out more and receive less. Increasing rail fares now would be nothing other than a slap in the face to ordinary people right here in Bath.
“What started out as chaos under the Conservatives has moved on to more complacency under Labour. Commuters deserve better than just the same raw deal given under new management. Raising fares is a false economy that will only drive down passengers and revenue in the long run.
“The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to do more to get more people onto trains, to freeze rail fares and to give commuters in Bath a reliable service and fair deal.”
More info:
The current cost of a season ticket between Bath Spa and London Paddington is £13,016. Accounting for the potential 5.8% rise in season ticket prices, next year this season ticket could cost £13,771.
The cost of a season ticket can be found here.
Season ticket price used was for an adult without a rail card, on a standard season ticket for 5+ days a week, valid for one year.
Reporting on the predicted rise is here.
Statistics refer to data collected between January 5th and February 1st this year.
Statistics are from the Office for Rail and Road.
Please see notes in source data as needed. Statistics are here.
I agree , rail services are pricing themselves out of the market, for what is an inferior services , compared to Europe, nothing to do with Brexit , it’s always been inferior ,
Is Bath’s MP STILL blaming the previous governments? When will she stop this backward looking complaining.