Some Wales-England cross-border rail fares to rise 8%

Some rail fares for passengers crossing the border between Wales and England will rise by an average of 8% next year.

But a decision on any increase in ticket prices for some journeys inside Wales has yet to be made.

The Welsh Government can choose to modify the settlement for Arriva Trains Wales, the largest rail operator in Wales.

It says it is talking to the company and will make a decision shortly.

The UK government has based its increase on the Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation for July which was unchanged at 5%.

For the last few years the formula for fare increases has generally been RPI inflation plus 1%, but for the next three years it is RPI plus 3% for many routes.

The UK government said it had to take "difficult decisions" on fares due to the budget deficit.

The rises are part of its proposals to reduce the cost to the taxpayer of running the rail network.

Train operators such as Virgin, who operate a service between Holyhead and London, say they expect the increase to apply to cross-border services.

Arriva Trains Wales currently uses a formula of RPI plus 1%, which applies on its services running in Wales and into England.

But the Welsh Government can choose to alter this. A spokesperson said it was reviewing its options and would make a decision shortly.