£30+ London Return: Fares from Folkestone and Hythe rise by 6.3% for 2007

The cost of a Southeastern "saver return" train fare from Folkestone Central, Folkestone West and Sandling to London will rise from £29.80 to over £31 in 2007, according to figures released today. A "cheap day" return will rise to over £16 for the same journey.

The 2007 fare rise was announced today by Train Operator group ATOC. On Southeastern train services, regulated fares (e.g. season tickets and saver tickets) will rise on average by 6.3%. Unregulated fares (e.g. cheap day returns, long distance open and some advance purchase fares) will rise by an average fare rises of 4.3%.

The regulated fare increase is the highest of any train operator in the Country. Regulated fares account for around 40% of tickets sold. Unregulated fares account for 60% of tickets sold.

Shepway Lib Dem Chair Tim Prater said:

"Folkestone and Hythe's train users are being forced to pay some of the fastest increasing fares in the country. Southeastern are being allowed to put up fares each year at 3% above inflation - where others are limited to 1% - in order to pay for the fast rail link to London. How is it 'fare' for todays train travellers to be paying for a service they are not going to see for over 2 years?

"By 2007, it will cost the same to take a car and 5 adults to France by ferry for the day as to buy a saver return by train for one adult to London."