c2c's new fares for 2002

IT is good news for Essex commuters with the announcement today that rail fares on services operated by train company c2c are going down by an average of 1.73% in January.

It continues c2c's good record for modest increases, when they do arise, coupled with continuing value for money - fares went down in real terms in the previous three years as average increases were below the level of inflation and only once in seven years in the private sector have fares risen above inflation.

Under national fares regulations, since 1998, increases for peak fares have been capped at around inflation levels and the other big factor in setting fares is how each train company performs over the previous year, in terms of punctuality and reliability. Poor punctuality performance on c2c, triggering Passenger's Charter discounts since January 2000, largely due to delays in introducing new trains, followed by lengthy teething problems with them, have contributed to keeping fares down.

The changes, which come into effect on Sunday 6 January, have also been tailored to fit c2c's new zonal fares structure, similar to that on the London Underground, with the fares within a zone the same as each other, which simplifies fares and removes anomalies for greater simplicity of travel and transparency of price for customers.

Route Director David Taylor said: "With fares going down on average this year, it represents even better value than in previous years where increases were kept to below the level of inflation.

"It's particularly gratifying at a time when there is massive investment going into the route to transform it into one of the best in the country. The coming year will be one of our most significant ever with the whole fleet of new trains due to be in place in the next couple of months and a step change in performance following on from this.

"Our station refurbishment programme is well advanced now and will see further improvements in 2002. It's all part of a huge investment programme to improve c2c beyond recognition and customers will be gratified to know they are not being asked to pay for it through big fares increases."

Travelcard season ticket prices within London will increase in line with the rate of inflation (approximately 1.8%). An all-zones weekly season ticket will increase from £36.40 to £36.90 (+1.4%).

Other commuter fares (rail only and season tickets from outside the Travelcard area to central London) will fall on average between 1.7% and 2%. Average commuter fares will fall by an average of 1.4%.

Highlights of the 2002 fares changes include:

Full Fare Products

* Standard Day Returns will fall by an average of 2.2%. For example - Westcliff to London will decrease from £12 to £11.30 (-5.8%) and Grays will remain unchanged.
* Standard Day Returns including all Underground zones will increase by an average of 0.3%. Longer distance fares to London will decrease and shorter distance fares will show a small increase. For example - Thorpe Bay from £15.40 to £14.90 (-3.2%) and Grays will increase from £10.30 to £10.50 (1.9%).
* Standard Day Singles will decrease by an average of 2.2%. For example, Thorpe Bay reduced from £7.60 to £7.10 (-6.6%) and Grays will remain unchanged.
* Standard Day Singles including all Underground zones will increase by an average of 1.1%. Longer distance fares to London will decrease with a small increase for shorter distance travel. For example, Shoeburyness from £9.10 to £8.70 (-4.4%) and Grays will increase from £6 to £6.10 (1.7%).

Season tickets

* A weekly Travelcard season ticket covering all Underground zones will go down by an average of 1%. For example, Shoeburyness will decrease from £71.10 to £69.50 (-2.3%). The seven day season from Shoeburyness will fall from £60 to £58 (-3/3%). The all zones seven day season from Grays will decrease from £47 to £46.60 (-0.9%) and the seven day season will fall from £35.50 to £34.90 (-1.7%).
* Flexitime season tickets will increase on average by 6.6%, but this still gives a saving of 20% over other standard season tickets, giving the equivalent of one day's travel for free. For example, Westcliff will increase from £43.50 t £44.80 (3%).

Leisure tickets On average, leisure fares to London will increase by up to the current rate of inflation, including One Day Travelcards, Cheap Day Returns and Family Travelcards.

Examples include:

* One Day Travelcards - Shoeburyness from £11.50 to £11.70 (1.7%) and Purfleet from £7.70 to £8 (3.9%).
* Cheap Day Returns - Thorpe Bay from £9.20 to £9.30 (1.1%) and Ockendon from £5.40 to £5.60 (3.7%).
* Family Travelcards - Thorpe Bay from £10 to £10.20 (2%) and Grays from £6.20 to £6.50 (4.8%).

All Day Travelcard

In partnership with other transport operators around London, c2c is introducing a new All Day Travelcard to supplement the popular One Day Travelcard and include peak travel. It will allow travel in and around London on most public transport for one price and will, in many cases, reduce the price of travel from one side of London to the other.

Within London the all zones ticket will be priced at £10.50. For outside central London travel the All Day Travelcard is a combination of the fare to London and the Underground zone 1 fare, so, in many cases, this will reduce the price of travel in and around London. Any fares that are undercut by the ADTC will become obsolete. For example, Shoeburyness to Surbiton will reduce from £20.50 to £14.90 (-27.3%) and East Tilbury to Willesden Junction will reduce from £14.80 to £12.40 (-16.2%).