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The Manc -
28th January 2020
The Manc -
28th January 2020 News
Rail fares in England have now risen by 4.6% despite unreliability of services
Emily Sergeant
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.
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.
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.
“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’.
Read more:
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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.”
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Woman arrested after four-year-old girl dies in Manchester house fire
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a four-year-old girl tragically died in a house fire near Rusholme at the weekend.
Emergency services were called to a fire at a property on Gateshead Close at around 12.35pm on Sunday.
The fire was quickly extinguished and the girl brought out of the property.
Sadly she had suffered serious injuries in the incident and died in hospital a short time after the blaze.
Police have now confirmed that a woman, aged 44, has been arrested on suspicion of arson with the intent to endanger life.
Officers say that the woman is known to the child and that there is no wider threat to the community.
A scene remains in place around Gateshead Close as specialist officers continue to investigate the full circumstances.
Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “This awful incident has seen the tragic death of a young girl, and I would like to send my condolences to her friends and family. Numerous emergency services attended the scene and all did their utmost best to save her.
“A woman has been arrested and I can confirm that she is known to the child. There is no wider threat to the community and no one else is currently being sought in connection with the investigation.
“These tragic incidents will of course naturally cause concern, but I want to reassure the public that we are fully investigating all circumstances of the fire, and will leave no stone unturned as we carry out this work.
“As this continues, I would ask anyone with any information about today’s events to please get in touch with officers. You can do this via 101, or on our Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1314 of 02/03/25. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Today, crews attended a fire at a house on Gateshead Close, Manchester.
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) March 2, 2025
The condolences of everyone at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are with the family and friends of the young girl who tragically lost her life following this incident. pic.twitter.com/x0j3dhxRov
Ben Levy, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager, said: “Today (Sunday, 2 March), crews from Gorton, Moss Side, Salford, and Withington Fire Stations attended a fire at a house on Gateshead Close, Manchester.
“I want to pass on the condolences of everyone at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to the family and friends of the young girl who tragically lost her life following this incident. Our thoughts are with them during this sad and difficult time.
“We will work closely with Greater Manchester Police to support their investigation into this tragic incident.”
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