Train trips look set to cost over £100 a year more for St Albans passengers regularly travelling the Thameslink route, thanks to an increase in regulated fares.
A spokesman for First Capital Connect (FCC) said that the rise, including for season and “anytime” tickets, was decided by the Government.
He added: “These fares are due to go up in January by July’s RPI measure of inflation of 2.5 per cent, plus one per cent.”
With season tickets currently costing passengers £3,208 annually, an additional 3.5 per cent bumps up the price to £3,320.
The spokesman said that rail operators also had the option to increase fares by an extra two per cent under a “flex” rule, but this would be a matter for the new Thameslink franchisee, who takes up the reins from September 14 this year.
Several months ago the Government awarded the seven year Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise to Govia Thameslink Railway Ltd.
Michael Roberts, director general of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the railway industry, said over the next five years £38 billion would be invested in improving the network.
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