'Unfair fares' hit Herefordshire's train passengers (From Ledbury Reporter)

'Unfair fares' hit Herefordshire's train passengers

7:00am Friday 8th February 2013 in News By Paul Rogers

Price rises hit Herefordshire train commuters

RAIL users in Herefordshire have hit out at inconsistencies in the price of fares which they say are leaving them out of pocket.

The complaints come weeks after the Hereford Times reported on the 2013 hike in the cost of train tickets.

Rail users now have to pay £1,760 for an annual season ticket from Hereford to Worcester, while one to Ludlow – a shorter journey – costs £1,992.

Research also shows that an average adult day return ticket from Hereford to Cardiff is £19.80, but commuters can go from Cardiff to Swansea and back for £8.30, even though both journeys take about an hour.

The difficulty in finding the cheapest way to get around the country was highlighted by Roger Williams who spilts his train fares to the get the best deal.

“A return from Hereford to Manchester is £48.80, but if you split it at Leominster it’s about £40,” he said. “The last time I went to London, I got a train to Birmingham and then the London Midland service via Northampton. It took ages but was relatively cheap.”

Arriva Trains Wales spokesman Lewis Brencher said the company’s price increases were in line with other rail operators.