Translink to raise price of some train fares for adults

The average adult single journey will be increased by 50p, Translink has said

About half of all adult single train fares in Northern Ireland will increase in price from early next month.

It comes after funding for public transport was reduced as a part of cuts to Stormont's overall budget.

Public transport operator Translink said the new fares were based on a cost-per-mile basis, making prices consistent across the rail network.

It said that on average an adult single fare would cost about 50p more but some passengers face much bigger increases.

Those boarding at Antrim to travel to Belfast will have to pay £1.30 more than they do at present and those travelling to the city from Larne face an additional cost of £1.40 on top of the current fare.

The changes are due to be implemented from Monday 6 November.

Tranlink's Hilton Parr believes the company's ticket prices are still good value for money

Hilton Parr, Translink's head of rail customer services, said the organisation had been working hard to keep fares as low as possible.

But he said that funding pressure on public sector organisations, including Translink, left it with no other option.

"Fares will be changing across the network and that's simply because there will be a more equitable system based on a cost-per-mileage basis," he told BBC News NI.

"We do truly believe that those fares are still really good value for money and we'll encourage more people to use our public transport."

Mr Parr said the maximum that a single fare would increase by is £1.50.

Discounts available using iLink and the yLink card, offering 50% off for those aged from 16 to 23, will be maintained.

In February Translink announced a 7% rise in fares across Metro, Glider, NI Railways, Enterprise, Goldliner and Ulsterbus services.

Prices had been frozen to help passengers during the cost of living crisis.

How much are Translink's new train fares?

Translink said that some routes had previously received higher levels of subsidies, meaning that fares had been kept lower.

Under its new plan, a new standardised pricing structure will be put in place, altering journey prices.

The new fares will come into effect on Monday 6 November

Some of the changes include:

• Portadown to Belfast: 20p increase

• Lurgan to Belfast: 50p increase

• Antrim to Belfast: £1.30 increase

• Larne to Belfast: £1.40 increase

That means that a single from Larne to Belfast will go up to £9.60 from the current £8.20.

However, not all single journey fares are rising.

The cost of a train trip from Holywood, Bangor, Lisburn and Londonderry to Belfast's Great Victoria Street will not increase.

One railway user told BBC News NI said she would pay the increased fares as it was "important to invest in the infrastructure of the country".

However, she recognised that the new prices may put people off and it could create a "false economy".