Train firms accused of using new ticketing system to raise prices

A new pricing system for Britain's rail network has been criticised by unions and passenger groups, who accused train operators of introducing fare increases "by the back door".

The new system, partially introduced yesterday, was supposed to make buying tickets easier by reducing the number of reservation types available to just three. But passenger groups warned that a number of train companies had already used the changes to scrap some of their cheapest fares by cutting the number of off-peak services and said more may follow suit when wider changes take effect later this year.

Critics fear the overhaul, which has seen the price of many journeys rise, may result in fewer people using trains despite the Government's pledge to encourage environmentally friendly methods of transport.

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Gerry Doherty, leader of the TSSA rail union, said: "Whilst we welcome any simplification of the ticket system we didn't want rail companies to use these changes as an excuse to reduce off-peak travel or bring in more expensive tickets. What we've been given are a number of fare increases by stealth. It is old people, students and families that will be hit hardest by any reductions in off-peak travel, as well, which seems particularly unfair."

Restrictions to some off-peak journeys, introduced yesterday by Virgin Trains, National Express and Cross Country, mean that an early morning train from Holyhead to London on Virgin is now be three times more expensive than it was last week because passengers who were formerly able to buy saver tickets now have to purchase more expensive standard and open return tickets.

Passengers who use National Express trains to commute between Essex and London will have to buy a full-price return ticket if they want to leave London between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, instead of a one-day travelcard, an increase of 63 per cent.

Stephen Joseph, the executive director for Campaign for Better Transport, said the simpler ticket system would still not help those unable to book tickets in advance. "If you want to get a train from Manchester that arrives into London before 11am the price for that ticket has doubled in the past 10 years," he said. "What we're seeing is the disappearance of the walk-on railway and that is a real problem."

Virgin Trains said changes to the new Holyhead fare were necessary to stop customers further down the line buying tickets from north Wales. National Express said it was forced to restrict access to peak-time trains because they were becoming increasingly busy.

David Mapp, commercial director of the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc), said denied the changes were an attempt to sneak in price rises.

"Passengers have told us that they want a simpler fares system," he said. "We are listening and responding. These tickets will enable people to buy train tickets more easily and with greater confidence."

Price increases aside, the attempt to simplify train ticketing will be welcomed by many. Since the privatisation of the railways more than a decade ago each individual rail operator has offered passengers its own pricing system, leading to what many have described as a "fare jungle" that left many passengers confused as to what was the cheapest ticket to buy.

Last month operators agreed to synchronise the introduction of a new simpler ticketing system, spearheaded by Atoc, that would reduce the number of ticket types available to just three: advance, off-peak and anytime.

As of yesterday, any rail passengers pre-booking their trip will now only be issued a single advance ticket which replaces the myriad discounted tickets previously on offer, such as leisure advance, business advance and apex.

Refunds will no longer be given on advance sales but railcard users will now be able to obtain discounts on pre-booked tickets.

Rising cost of rail travel

*Holyhead to London Euston

*Time: Arriving before 9.30am on a weekday

*Operator: Virgin Trains

*Was: £69.40 with saver return

*Now: £223 with standard return

*Increase: 228 per cent