Midlands rail passengers hit by national 1.1% fare rise

Fares have gone up by 1.1% Credit: PA

Passengers across the Midlands will see their rail fares go up by 1.1% this year as part of a national rise in prices.

Rail bosses have defended the rise, pointing out that it's the smallest annual increase in 2010 and insisting that money will go back into improving services.

But transport watchdogs have insisted that passengers will expect to see improvements in the service to justify a rise in prices.

Commuters with annual season tickets can find out how much their fare has gone up by on the National Rail Enquiries website.

Workers travelling from Gloucester to Birmingham will have to pay out £36 more than the 2015 price of £3,860 for a ticket.

Meanwhile passengers travelling from Ludlow to Hereford will now see their annual season ticket cost £2100, up from £2080 last year.

The average rise for regulated fares - which is about half of all tickets and includes annual passes - was limited to no more than 1% as it is linked to July's rate of Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation.

But unregulated fares, such as off-peak leisure tickets, change by whatever amount the train companies decide.