A GENERAL review of Merseyrail fares has concluded that the last annual fare increase was not implemented in full in the New Year.
Merseyrail have therefore decided to carry out a “catch-up” increase from this month (October) to bring fares up to the levels they should have been from January 2008.
But it says these increases are generally very small across “anytime” single and day-return fares (usually 5 or 10p depending on roundings).
Merseyrail will also be introducing a minimum “off-peak” day return fare of £3.00 for travel after 09.30hrs. For some very short journeys after 09.30hrs it may therefore be cheaper to travel on a “anytime” day return.
Contractually, Merseyrail fare increases are based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) for the entire length of the concession, up to 2028.
This means that, in real terms, the value of an average regulated fare remains unchanged from year to year. No other train operator in the UK has this unique price guarantee as part of its concession or franchise agreement.
