Rail fares to be frozen in England next year

"Rail fares in England next year are to be frozen for the first time in 30 years, the government has announced. The freeze until March 2027 will apply to regulated fares, which includes season tickets and off-peak returns. The most recent fare rise, in March 2025, was 4.6%. Rail fares traditionally have gone up in January, based on the July rate of the retail price index (RPI) + 1% - although this formula has not always been followed."

"The announcement comes days before the chancellor sets out the government's financial plans in the Budget, amid a focus on the cost of living. The government also said the move is intended to "directly limit inflation" by holding down "a major component of everyday costs". Since 2021, the annual increase has come in March instead of January. A government source acknowledged it was possible unregulated fares would still rise, but insisted they usually followed regulated fares."

Rail fares in England will be frozen until March 2027 for regulated fares, covering season tickets and off-peak returns. The freeze follows a 4.6% fare rise in March 2025 and departs from the usual RPI+1% annual adjustment. The government framed the freeze as a measure to directly limit inflation by lowering a major component of everyday costs and to ease cost-of-living pressures ahead of the Budget. Unregulated fares could still rise, though they typically follow regulated fares; unregulated fares increased 5.5% in the year to March 2025. About 45% of fares are regulated across the UK, but the freeze applies only to travel in England and services run by England-based operators. The Rail Delivery Group welcomed the measure.

Read at www.bbc.com