Another increase in unregulated fares

[whole diary]

[old original]

I've learnt that the super off peak fares from Cornwall to  London are going up again in May.
Example  Truro - London currently ^94 will be ^97.50,     10% since September in two rises
That's all I've got at the mo but others might want to investigate their own fares

[JayMac]

Hmm.... interesting. The SVR is going up from ^117 to ^122 as well.

This can't be right. One of those is regulated and both also went up in January.

Before Jan 2012: SSR ^89 SVR ^111
Jan 2012 - May 2012: SSR ^94 (5.62% increase) SVR ^117 (5.4%)
May 2012 onward: SSR ^97.50 (3.72%) SVR ^122 (4.27%)

Total increase from prior to January 2012: SSR 9.55%, SVR 9.91%.

I'm not sure which of the Truro to London fares is regulated, but as both the Off Peaks will have, come May 20th, risen by nearly 10% since December I can't understand how FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are getting away with a second increase beyond the once a year RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context))+x% formula, which this January was a maximum of 6%.

Other fares, both SSR and SVR from Cornwall and Devon destinations to London are also increasing.

Strange. I've asked FGW via Facebook what's going on.

[Zoe]

I'm not sure which of the Truro to London fares is regulated, but as both the Off Peaks will have, come May 20th, risen by nearly 10% since December I can't understand how FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are getting away with a second increase beyond the once a year RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context))+x% formula, which this January was a maximum of 6%.

Back in 2009 Super Off Peak fares on HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) routes were introduced at the same price as the Off Peak fares at the time.  The Off Peak fares were hiked by about 20% so I would think that in this case it's the Super Off Peak that is the regulated fare.

[Btline]

These shocking price rises are unjustified and are purely designed to fleece commuters even more at a time of recession.

[vacman]

These shocking price rises are unjustified and are purely designed to fleece commuters even more at a time of recession.

I  very much doubt commuters will be affected as its super off-peak.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Ah: he got you there, Btline! 

[Btline]

I expect there are plenty of "regular travellers" who travel on SOP^▸ (Standard Operating Instructions) tickets.

I want to know which fares have come down to balance the books!

[vacman]

I expect there are plenty of "regular travellers" who travel on SOP^▸ (Standard Operating Instructions) tickets.

I want to know which fares have come down to balance the books!

They've probably reduced some little used fare like an SOR from Chapleton to Coombe junction to balance the books.

[JayMac]

That can't be done. Anytime Returns can't be in the same 'basket' as regulated (Super) Off Peak fares. For the record the Off Peak Return (SVR) between Chapleton - Coombe, which is the regulated fare on that flow, remains unchanged post May 20th.

I expect there are plenty of "regular travellers" who travel on SOP^▸ (Standard Operating Instructions) tickets.

What's a SOP ticket? Do you mean SSR? 

[Btline]

That can be done. Anytime Returns can't be in the same 'basket' as regulated (Super) Off Peak fares. For the record the Off Peak Return (SVR) between Chapleton - Coombe, which is the regulated fare on that flow, remains unchanged post May 20th.

Can or can't?

That's obviously why FGW^▸ (First Great Western) hasn't axed these little used stations, as it gives them the opportunity to cash in elsewhere. I'm fuming, someone tell the Mail...
No doubt Finstock to just about anywhere has been wacked up over the years...

[JayMac]

You got me. 

I, of course, meant 'can't'.

No reply, or even acknowledgement, as yet from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) via twitter or Facebook. Awaiting the response to my email.

I will give FGW an opportunity to explain these fares increases. I can't quite believe they are doing anything that goes against the rules for regulated fares. There's probably some legitimate reason that allows regulated fares to increase twice in 5 months, but I've not found it. I suspect 'fares baskets' may be somehow involved.

However, should I get no response, or obfuscation, from FGW then I may consider emailing the news desks of various westcountry newspapers.

[grahame]

That's obviously why FGW^▸ (First Great Western) hasn't axed these little used stations, as it gives them the opportunity to cash in elsewhere.

Fare baskets are set in proportion to traffic levels, so little used flows have little effect on the fares basket. Hard to find references and descriptions, but there's an old one at http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr38/f41_smi.html . And indeed I think I've seen reference to the least used 5% of fares being excluded from calculations in some franchises in order to reduce the complexity of the calculation further.   I'm not sure if that applies to FGW.

Either way, Btline, I'm not sure how little used stations can have a significant effect on the fares basket and provide an opportunity to cash in. Can you explain?

[Btline]

I meant reducing fares at little used stations to jack up fares on heavier used lines to balance the fares basket.

But it sounds like it can't be done...

[grahame]

I meant reducing fares at little used stations to jack up fares on heavier used lines to balance the fares basket.

But it sounds like it can't be done...

Yep - you were thinking of the "Spaghetti and Baked Beans" trick.  In 1969, both cost tenpence ha'penny a tin from Heinz.  The the ha'penny was withdrawn, and I remember seeing the Heinz spokesman on TV saying it wouldn't stoke inflation, as they had put tined Spaghetti down in price (10d) to balance the increase put on beans to 11d.  Of course, he neglected to say that a lot more beans are sold that spaghetti. Never forgotten that lesson 

[MarkyMarkD]

Interesting comment, Graham.  I didn't realise that the pre-decimal halfpenny was abandoned a couple of years before decimalisation; I remember the decimal halfpenny subsequently being abandoned in 1984.