Any more fares increases expected this year?

[trainophile]

I seem to recall that on at least one occasion in recent years there was a round of fares increases in May, although I may be mis-remembering. Just wondering whether there's anything known of in the pipeline in the next few months. I need an Anytime Return for the middle of May and don't want to be caught out by leaving it until nearer the time.

 

[CyrusWuff]

I seem to recall that on at least one occasion in recent years there was a round of fares increases in May, although I may be mis-remembering. Just wondering whether there's anything known of in the pipeline in the next few months. I need an Anytime Return for the middle of May and don't want to be caught out by leaving it until nearer the time.

Pre-pandemic there were traditionally three fares changes per year: January, May and September.

Since the pandemic the January change has moved to March, with the May one pushed back to June, though the September one has remained unchanged.

 

[trainophile]

Ah, thanks, that's clarified it. No rush to buy my tickets for May then.

 

[Starmill]

I think West Midlands fares changed in May before the pandemic. I don't know any more...

 

[trainophile]

I presume we'd get a bit of notice if they did decide to chuck an increase in at an unusual time of the year. The tickets I need are for GWR so just have to hope for the best.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Pre-pandemic there were traditionally three fares changes per year: January, May and September.
Since the pandemic the January change has moved to March, with the May one pushed back to June, though the September one has remained unchanged.

Generally, those fare increase dates applied to particular ticket types, and usually there was only one annual increase for any one type of ticket.
The "January" increase is for regulated fares, including season tickets, so gets a lot of attention.
Other sorts of tickets are increased in May/September but with less publicity.
Advances and things like Rovers and Rangers and TOC-specific tickets can go up any time.
First Class is not regulated so can also change any time (eg to include food/refreshments or not).

 

[Mark J]

I presume we'd get a bit of notice if they did decide to chuck an increase in at an unusual time of the year. The tickets I need are for GWR so just have to hope for the best.

Last year, GWR increased prices in March and in September. Admittedly, the latter increase was mainly for local journeys. The total of both increases saw tickets increase by a total of 10%.

However, I still. Think there should only be one increase in a year, the annual March increase.

Some fares are ridiculously expensive now, without the need for these sneaky price rises at other times of the year.