Midlands commuters spend up to 5 times as much of their salary on rail fares as other Europeans, finds TUC

Commuters across the Midlands face fresh rail fare increases as they return to work today, now spending up to 5 times as much of their salary on tickets as passengers on the continent, according to new TUC research.

UK workers on average salaries will have to fork out around 11% of their pay to travel from Shrewsbury to Stafford (£318.40 a month), or around 10% from Melton Mowbray to Derby (£259.60).

By contrast, comparable commutes would cost a mere 2% of the average salary in France, 3% in Italy, 4% in Germany, and 5% in Spain and Belgium.

Wages are set to grow by only 2.6% in 2018, while season tickets will go up by 3.6% - over a third faster than wages.

TUC Midlands, Regional Secretary Lee Barron said:

“A new year, but the same old story, with rail commuters yet again facing rip off price rises. Wages are already stretched, and this latest increase will further eat into the pay packets of commuters across the Midlands.

What’s more, it doesn't need to be this way. Commuters across Europe have access to reasonably-priced travel on public railways and it’s about time that we had a change of approach and gave commuters a break.

“Employers can help out by offering zero-interest season ticket loans, or offering more flexible work hours and locations.“But ultimately the government need to take our railways back into public hands. That will stop hundreds of millions being siphoned off by private rail firms, and allow us to put passengers first.”