West Coast Mainline changes hands
Sir Richard Branson's train company Virgin Rail has lost its West Coast main line franchise, with transport company FirstGroup taking over from December, the Government announced today.
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Full report: Passengers and unions attack train fare hike
by Ben ChapmanRail passengers and unions have criticised plans for hefty rises in train fares next year.
Prices on many tickets will go up by an average of 6.2% in January. That's been calculated by taking the latest inflation figure, which went up today to 3.2%, and adding an extra 3%. It means a one month season ticket from Durham to Newcastle will go up by more than £6 to £112.
It's the tenth year in a row they've risen by more than inflation. Today's announcement applies to 'regulated' fares like season tickets and off peak journeys. Unregulated fares could rise by even more.
The government says the increases are necessary to pay for improvements to the railways. But they led to protests at many stations this morning.
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It has been announced that rail fares will increase
Rail passengers and unions have criticised plans for hefty rises in train fares next year.
In England, prices will go up by an average of 6.2% in January. That's been calculated by taking the latest inflation figure, which went up today to 3.2%, and adding an extra 3%.
In Scotland, the increase will be smaller, at 4.2%. Today's announcement applies to so-called 'regulated' fares like season tickets and off peak journeys. Unregulated fares could rise by more.
The government says the increases are necessary to pay for improvements to the railways.
Leaking oil blamed for fire on train
600 passengers had to be transfered from a train after a fire broke out in a carriage while it was traveling near Beattock last Thursday evening.
Dumfries and Galloway fire service today confirmed the cause of the fire as due to leaking oil under one of the carriages which caught light.
West Coast Mainline remains closed
The latest on the trains is that the West Coast Mainline is expected to remain closed until tomorrow morning - there are coaches running between Carlisle and Preston
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