Rail fares across England and Wales have now risen by 4.6%, even despite the continued unreliability of services.
Less than two weeks after plans to fix the ‘broken’ rail system across the UK and deliver reliable services for all were set out by the Government, and the Department for Transport (DfT) stated its aim to ‘rewire Britain’s railways’, it’s now been confirmed that rail fares have risen nationally as of yesterday (2 March).
The price hike means that some commuters, and those who regularly use rail services, will have to pay tens or hundreds of pounds more for travel per year.
Season tickets on most commuter journeys, peak and off-peak return tickets, and flexible tickets for travel around major cities are just some of the journeys set to see fares increase.
Rail fares in England have now risen by 4.6% / Credit: TPE
According to campaigners at the Campaign for Better Transport, an annual season ticket from Macclesfield to Manchester will rise by £146. while an annual season ticket from York to Leeds will rise by £133.
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Some railcards are also subject to the price hike too, which was capped at 4.6% by the Government.
Railcards in Britain, excluding those for disabled passengers, became more expensive for the first time in 12 years, with the price of a three-year card having now risen from £70 to £80, while a one-year card has increased from £30 to £35.
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Train operators set their own prices for unregulated fares, but these tend to increase by a similar amount to regulated fares – including on lines that have already been re-nationalised.
Price hikes come less than two weeks after the Government set out plans to fix the country’s ‘broken’ rail system / Credit: Northern
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says she ‘understands’ why passengers are frustrated.
“I understand that passengers are frustrated that rail fares keep rising despite unacceptable levels of delays and cancellations,” she commented, “which is why this Government made sure this was the lowest increase in three years, and below the growth in average earnings.
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“We inherited a railway that was not fit for purpose, and I know it will take time for trust to be restored, with trains turning up on time, when and where they’re needed.”
Michael Solomon Williams, from Campaign for Better Transport, said the price hikes ‘will pile further misery on hard-pressed households’.
He added: “If the Government wants to do something genuinely popular, get Britain moving and help people with the cost of living, it should be making rail fares cheaper.”
Featured Image – Northern
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‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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Two arrested after assaulting and burgling 90-year-old woman in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
Two people have been arrested following reports of an assault and burglary at a 90-year-old woman’s home in a Stockport suburb.
While en-route to the incident in Heald Green – which was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at around 2:30am on 29 October – officers located the victim’s vehicle being driven by an unknown man.
The stolen vehicle made off from police before it lost control, went up a grass verge, and collided with a stationary vehicle.
Police confirmed that a white British man, aged 41, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a burglary and serious assault, while a white British woman, aged 47, was also later arrested on suspicion of burglary and serious assault – with both remaining in custody for questioning.
The victim, a 90-year-old woman, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being supported by specialist officers, although luckily, her injuries are not life-threatening.
Enquiries are now ongoing, and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the shocking incident.
“This was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for the victim, and we have specialist officers supporting her through this investigation,” explained Detective Inspector Craig Turner, from Stockport CID.
“This was a violent burglary and thanks to the brave victim reporting it, our officers made two swift arrests with the suspects taken into police custody to be interviewed.
“We believe this was a targeted attack and there is no wider risk to the community. Extra patrols of officers have been deployed to the area to offer reassurance to members of the community. Please let them know if you have any concerns.
“We are committed to tackling dangerous offenders and keeping our communities safe from harm.”
Emily Sergeant -
3rd March 2025 
