Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions her Department has had with (a) train companies and (b) public transport campaigners on the impact of increased rail fares.

The Department regularly meets with the rail industry and stakeholders, on a variety of issues including rail affordability. Our aim is to keep the price of rail travel at a point that works for both passengers and taxpayers, where possible.

This year’s increase was the lowest absolute increase in three years and will help ensure that funding for the railway is fairly balanced between the passengers who use it and the taxpayers who do not.