TSSA accuses train operators of “pricing workers off the railways”

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has accused train operators of “pricing workers off the railways” after ticket prices rose by 5.1% in the last year. 

This increase was higher than the retail price index (RPI) rate of inflation, which stood at 3.2%. 

Ticket prices also went up more than the cost of housing, food and council tax during the same period.

Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary at TSSA, said: “By raising ticket prices the train operating companies are pricing workers off the railway.

“At a time when many people are having to choose between heating and eating, it’s outrageous for train companies to increase rail fares by more than the rate of inflation.

“As train companies move into Great British Railways TSSA is urging the Department for Transport to keep ticket prices affordable so that we can get people out of their cars and onto the railways.”

Eslamdoust added: “If we want public transport to be fully used by the public, it has to be priced for the public. Affordable fares mean full trains & cleaner air.”