Fares are fair deal
While it is true to say a standard day single from Chichester to London has increased by eight per cent, season ticket holders have benefited from increases like this, as this allows us to keep increases in some other fares to a minimum.
The rate at which regulated fares increase is determined by the government and our overall regulated fares increase for this year was set at six per cent. Unlike some other train operators, we do not receive a subsidy from the government and instead we pay an annual premium, which increases considerably each year.
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Hide AdSome of the revenue from ticket sales pays for this premium, with the remainder going back into the business to make improvements to our stations, trains and services, to pay increased operating costs and, of course, a small amount is retained as profit.
Unregulated fares are not determined by the government and so this year we have frozen all our Advance fares and many off-peak fares and for those who book online, an additional ten per cent discount is offered, making them even cheaper than last year.
Chris Burchell
Managing Director,
Southern