ESCALATING rail fares are to continue hitting commuters in the pocket according to the product director at Scottish Friendly.

Neil Lovatt said: “Commuters, many of whom have already seen an increase in their rail fare commute of up to 25% over the last five years, are set to continue to see a considerable chunk of their disposable income eaten away by the rising rail prices.

“A report we commissioned recently found that the average disposable income across the UK sits at just £219. Despite this figure having risen by three per cent over the previous quarter, commuters, in particular, are going to see it eroded very quickly with the inflation-busting rises that rail companies are allowed to impose.

“The UK’s rail fares are among the highest in Europe and with so many people already struggling to make ends meet, the prospect of further rises to the cost of everyday travel is set to continue to cause financial discomfort.

“The UK’s rail fares are among the highest in Europe and with so many people already struggling to make ends meet, the prospect of further rises to the cost of everyday travel is set to continue to cause financial discomfort.”

Scottish Friendly tips to help keep the cost of travelling by train to a minimum:

  • Ask your boss - For season tickets, ask your employer about company schemes or any assistance that they might be able to provide to help spread the costs of an annual ticket. Annual tickets are cheaper than purchasing monthly and some employers offer an interest free loan to help cover them.
  • Buy only for when you travel - People often overlook the fact that you can buy flexible season tickets with some train operators, so, if you are, for example, working part of the week from home on a regular basis, going on maternity leave or an extended holiday, speak to the rail operator about how you could make a saving on the times that you will not travel.
  • Change your route - Play the train operators off against each other, by checking to see if different train companies offer a cheaper ticket for a slightly different route.
  • Buy in advance - If you know that you are due to travel in advance, do not wait until the last minute to book your travel. Most train companies put tickets on sale 12 weeks ahead, so look out for offers and cheap advance tickets.
  • Split your journey - As strange as it sounds, if you are taking a long journey, you can actually save money by buying a ticket to a location that is halfway of your journey and then buying another for the second half of the trip. Also, if you're looking for a return, check if two singles are cheaper.
  • Consider changing your train stop - Walking to and from the next stop closest to your destination might be in a lower-priced zone, which could save money on your season ticket and get you fit into the bargain.