“Taken for a ride” - Liberal Democrats urge rail fare freeze as inflation bites

EMBARGO: Immediate release 

Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson Paul Kohler MP has warned the Government that passengers are being “taken for a ride”, as the latest inflation stats suggest rail fares are set to rise.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for rail fares to be frozen to avoid another hit to the cost of living and encourage more people on to trains.

New figures released today (20 August) show that regulated rail fares are set to rise 5.8% in 2026-27 if they follow inflation. That means some commuters could face rises of above £2,000 since 2020, Liberal Democrat research shows. This follows increases of 4.6% in 2025-26, 4.9% in 2024-2025, and 5.9% in 2023-2024.

This means a season ticket from Winchester to London will cost £7,118 up by £390 from last year, and £345 more from Cambridge. 

Commenting on the figures, Paul Kohler, MP for Wimbledon and Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson said:

“This is nothing short of ludicrous. Commuters are simply being taken for a ride. We simply cannot allow the current rate of inflation to set rail fares while services get worse.

“To increase rail fares at all in the midst of a cost of living crisis would be nothing other than a slap in the face to ordinary people.

“The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to scrap the 2026-27 rail fare rise and get more people onto the trains. Raising fares is a false economy that will only drive down passengers and revenue in the long run."

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Liberal Democrat research on the cost of a season ticket can be found here. Season ticket price used was for an adult without a rail card, on a standard ticket for 5+ days a week valid over one year.

Inflation figures can be found here.

July’s inflation figures are used to calculate the next rail fare rise, which will be confirmed in the Budget.