First Great Western (FGW) is increasing ticket prices, by around 20%.
First Great Western (FGW) has revealed it will be increasing some off-peak fares by up to 20% from September 6. First Great Western is also introducing new draconian restrictions on the time that you can travel as well.
The decision has been branded “legalised mugging” by public transport watchdog TravelWatch, which is united with rail watchdog Passenger Focus and the TSSA union in its criticism.
The TSSA union accused FGW of using “back door and underhand” tactics to offset the expected cuts in regulated fare to be introduced in January next year.
Government rules do not allow train companies to decide the prices of their cheapest on-the-day return fares, commonly known as Cheap Day Returns, Savers or Off Peak Returns. However train companies can put tight restrictions on when you can use such tickets.
FGW has also decided to hike advance purchase tickets by over 11%, however customers are being pushed towards the website to get a ten per cent discount on advance purchase tickets.
Off-peak singles and some peak journey tickets will become cheaper, but many customers will be hit by increased parking charges of up to around 25%.
PFAS decided to work out the current and future prices for a Standard Class Return journey from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads and from London Paddington to Penzance.
London to Bristol.
Standard Open / Antytime Return:
Current Price £153.00
New Price £153.00
No Increase.
Saver Return / Off-Peak Return:
Current Price £49.00. NOT VAILD BETWEEN 1640 and 1831
New Price £59.00. NOT VAILD BETWEEN 1640 and 1855
£10 Increase (20.4%) and extra 26 mins restriction.
SuperSaver / Super Off-Peak Return:
Current Price £NOT AVAILABLE
New Price £49.00 NOT VAILD BETWEEN 1500 and 1900
New Restriction of 4 hours.
London to Penzance.
Standard Open / Antytime Return:
Current Price £239.00
New Price £239.00
No Increase.
Saver Return / Off-Peak Return:
Current Price £83.00. NOT VAILD BETWEEN 1640 and 1801
New Price £100.00. NOT VAILD BETWEEN 1640 and 1830
£17 Increase (20.5%) and extra 29 mins restriction.
SuperSaver / Super Off-Peak Return:
Current Price £NOT AVAILABLE
New Price £83.00 NOT VAILD BETWEEN 1500 and 1900
New Restriction of 4 hours.
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