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British train fares: off the rails

Updated on 19 February 2009

By Krishnan Guru-Murthy

It's now official: British train fares are the most expensive in Europe, according to a survey done by the Passenger Focus group.

A survey by Passenger Focus found that rail commuters pay much more than their continental counterparts.

Commuters in Britain travelling between 25 and 50 miles pay an average of £1,860 in Britain for an annual season ticket - the next most expensive is France, where they cost £990.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The government is committed to sharing the cost of rail services fairly between taxpayers and passengers.

"It is estimated it would cost taxpayers an extra £500 million a year to bring UK commuter fares in line with these other European countries, which are more heavily subsidised," the spokesman added.

Download the survey

Compare our rail fares to Europe, download the Passenger Focus survey here

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