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In the News

Rail Economics: Explaining the increase in UK Rail Fares

Graham Watson

22nd January 2018

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The FT looks at the recent 3.4% increase in season ticket and off-peak rail fares, and drills down into the price increase, arguing that the train operating companies (TOCs) only earn a small margin on each £ spent on the railways.

He notes that the government has taken a decision to increase the proportion of the cost of the railways onto passengers and away from the taxpayer. There's much sense of this - but should taxpayers subsidise rail travel because of the positive welfare effects rail has on the UK economy.

Rail Economics: Explaining the increase in UK Rail Fares
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Graham Watson

Graham Watson has taught Economics for over twenty years. He contributes to Tutor2U, reads voraciously and is interested in all aspects of Teaching and Learning.

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