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Commuters face double fare increase on new Javelin trains
Ross Lydall26.10.09
Passengers who switch to new highspeed commuter routes through London and Kent face a “double whammy” of fare increases, it was revealed today.
Twenty-nine Japanese Javelin trains capable of 140mph will be introduced on Southeastern routes between St Pancras and Dover and Margate on 13 December.
These will cut almost an hour from the London to Dover journey, while the trip between Ashford and St Pancras will be more than halved to 37 minutes. But the fares will be up to 30 per cent higher than the equivalent trip on “normal” trains.
And in January the peak-hour “regulated” fares will rise by a further 1.6 per cent across Southeastern's network, including the high-speed service.
Unregulated fares for off-peak travel could rise by more.
Southeastern was given permission in its 2006 franchise to increase regulated tickets each year by three per cent above RPI inflation — which was minus 1.4 per cent when next year's fares were calculated.
The company, which published its new timetable today, admitted that some services were being axed while others would take slightly longer.
Southeastern managing director Charles Horton said: “The majority of passengers will see an improvement in services but some compromises have had to be made and not everyone will be satisfied.”
A peak-hour high-speed return journey from Ashford to London is currently £48.70 compared with £42.90 on slower services.
Commuters faced delays into and out of Paddington today because services were halted after a train driver discovered the body of a man lying alongside railway lines in Buckinghamshire.
Reader views (6)
Last year my fares went up from Strood to London by 12% for an annual season ticket. What do I get for my money? Well, from December this year the standard services going to London in the morning have dropped to one every half an hour and on the way home there is an hours gap between direct services at peak time.
To use the high speed service would cost an extra 30% just for the train service, including the travel card 49%.
I've weighed up my options. So I'm now driving in to a station closer to London. It's cheaper including petrol, parking and fares.
So well done Southeastern. You've managed to make it cheaper and quicker for me to use my car for most of my journey.
- Rebekah, Strood
My annual season ticket would cost £850 more if I want to travel on the High Speed trains - how are normal people meant to afford those prices? These trains are for the wealthy only.
- La, Kent
And some people still say privatisation was a good thing.
- Gerry, Chatham KENT UK
Dont know what your problem is.
It has been made clear all along that the domestic high speed fares would be around 3 per cent higher than normal fares. You moaned at the fact when the franchise was won, and 3 years later you are still moaning. It's hardly been a secret.
Pay up or shut up !
- Tom Watson, SE1
South Eastern are not being clear about which services are being axed. However, if you look at their website the majority of peak services have been axed. You now have to change at London Bridge, which extends your journey. For this priviledge we are also being charged more. If you want to get the High Speed service and need to now get the underground/bus to your work its nearly double the train fare. They are sneaking in the new timetable and not allowing the passengers to object to it as the majority of them do not realise. As of the second week of December the majority of standard trains will be cut.
- Jk, Kent
This is the way to encourage people onto public transport !
- Richard, UK
