Rail fares to be frozen for the first time in 30 years

The government confirmed the news

The government announced the news yesterday, ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget which is set to be announced on Wednesday (26 November).

The freeze will be effective from next year and will apply until March 2027, says the BBC.

Regulated fares, including season ticket and off-peak returns, will be frozen in a move which the government says will "save commuters hundreds of pounds off their season tickets, freeze costs for travellers, and support growth in town centres across the country."

It suggested that commuters could save up to £300 per year on certain routes.

Rachel Reeves said about the move: "Next week at the Budget I’ll set out the fair choices to deliver on the country’s priorities to cut NHS waiting lists, cut national debt and cut the cost of living.

"That’s why we’re choosing to freeze rail fares for the first time in 30 years, which will ease the pressure on household finances and make travelling to work, school or to visit friends and family that bit easier."

Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so we’re freezing fares to help millions of passengers save money. 

"Commuters on more expensive routes will save more than £300 per year, meaning they keep more of their hard-earned cash.

"This is part of our wider plans to rebuild Great British Railways the public can be proud of and rely on."

The change is part of the plans to rebuild a nationalised railway system in the UK, under the moniker Great British Railways (GBR).

The government says GBR will "deliver value for money through bringing rail tickets into the 21st century with tap in tap out and digital ticketing, alongside investing in superfast WiFi."