Rail companies don't have a lot of fans. Cancelled services, delayed trains, poxy excuses, and those damn announcements. 'We apologise for any inconvenience that may have been caused' My train is two hours late, how on earth could there be any question over whether it has been an inconvenience?

Yesterday they announced something that seemed like good news. Fares will rise just 1.1% this year, the lowest rise since privitisation. So are they turning a corner? Is there a brave new world where train tickets are reasonably priced and services are seemless.

Well, what do you think?



This apparent 1.1% rise is a cunning use of statistics. It is influenced massively by the fact that regulated fares (like season tickets and commuter routes) will rise just 0.4% because rises are legally restricted to inflation plus 1%.

It means the companies have taken the opportunity to massively inflate unregulated fares, like the ones we use to visit friends and family. And it's the cheapest ones that will be among the worst affected. After the rises, even after you've gone to the trouble of planning and booking months in advance for your ticket, you're going to get stung.

Overall, the average rise in unregulated fares will be about 3%, but some will be massively inflated, as much as 15%.

So what can you do about it?

First off, you will need to consider all your options before you travel. Check out flights through a site like this one, which brings together a huge number of flights from different airlines for you to trawl through. Then check out the cost of the coach. Of course, you'll need to factor in the hassle, but rising prices will make these alternatives more attractive.

Secondly, take the time to check out the cheapest rail fare available. It's a disgrace that the system doesn't make this easy, but until the train companies are forced to behave decently, you need to work around the system. Try a couple of sites like the trainlne and raileasy and make sure you check the cost of single fares as well as returns.

A bit of hunting should keep a lid on the price hikes. But it doesn't make it any more forgivable that rail companies are pretending prices haven't gone up.