Train fares to rise

[ozbob]

From News.com.au click here!

Train fares to rise

Article from: AAP

THE cost of catching a train in Sydney is rising again, with ticket prices to increase by an average of 5.9 per cent in just over a fortnight's time.

The increase, recommended by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), is about twice the rate of inflation and is the second fare rise in less than 18 months.

Single journeys will increase by 20 cents for trips up to 35km, 40 cents for those up to 75km, 60 cents for up to 175km and $1 for those any longer.

Weekly rail tickets would also increase by $2 for journeys up to 35km and $3 for longer trips.

IPART chief executive Jim Cox said reliability and punctuality on the service had improved over the past two to three years.

But he did note that CityRail had an issue with overcrowding.

"People don't like paying more for anything," Mr Cox said.

"I think that commuters will think that this is a very modest increase. They would rather not pay it, but in the circumstances I think they will accept it is not unreasonable."

The IPART report said the decision should not affect affordability, with the average household income of people who catch trains at $100,000, above the state household average of $71,658.

NSW Transport Minister John Watkins said it was a "reasonable increase" that helped meet the increased cost of running CityRail, while keeping a balance between the "fare box and the ratepayer".

At present, 23 per cent of CityRail's funding comes from fares, with the rest being paid for by taxpayers.

The minister also said the average fare increase of twice the inflation rate was due to fares running below inflation for many years.

"Since 2001, RailCorp's costs have been running at about one per cent above inflation," Mr Watkins said.

"Since that time, train fares have increased at 1.4 per cent below inflation ... that's why this balance between the fare box and the taxpayer, many of whom who never use the RailCorp services, has to be maintained at a reasonable level."

Commuter group Action for Public Transport (APT) said the fare increases meant rail travellers would now pay more for an "indifferent service".

APT spokesman Allan Miles said the fare rise would only irritate passengers.

"The fare increases may not be large, but some people will be hurt," Mr Miles said.

"Part-time workers who cannot buy weekly tickets and other low-wage earners may have to decide whether it is worth going to work or not."

Opposition transport spokeswoman Gladys Berejiklian said commuters had every right to be angry about the increase.

"CityRail's performance is still lacking. On-time running figures show CityRail has failed to meet 85 per cent of its PM peak on-time running targets since January," she said.

She said it was no surprise fewer people were using CityRail services today, compared to seven years ago.

[Otto]

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