How to beat the train and tube season ticket hikes before fares go up next week
The cost of your season ticket is set to rise by as much as 3.6 per cent next week
HARD-UP train passengers have until next Tuesday to beat the biggest ticket price hike in five years.
Commuters will face an average price rise of 3.4 per cent from January 2, while many season tickets will rise by up to 3.6 per cent.
The increase covers regulated fares, which includes season tickets and unregulated fares, like off-peak tickets.
is urging commuters with season tickets about to expire to buy their new one for 2018 at 2017 prices by doing so before next Tuesday - January 2.
By doing this, commuters can save themselves forking out hundreds of pounds extra a year just to get to work.
Under the new prices, a season ticket from Cheltenham to London will increase from £12,784 to £13,244 - a hike of £460 - while those travelling from Peterborough to London will see their season ticket go up to £7,864 from £7,592 - an increase of £272.
London Travelcards will also rise on average by 3.4 per cent.
You can usually buy season tickets up to seven days before they are due to start but to pay the 2017 price, your ticket must start by January 1, so you haven't got long if you want to take advantage.
Some passengers might find they could also save money by renewing early and paying for two tickets for a period.
But MSE warns that if your current season ticket expires more than two weeks into the new year, it's unlikely to be worth you renewing early, as paying-double for that long will cancel out any savings you'd make.
Train expert at MSE, Megan French, told The Sun Online that passengers are already struggling with "sky high" rail fares.
She said: "A few lucky commuters may be able to lock in 2017 prices if they are due to renew their season ticket in the coming days, and for some it may even be worth renewing early and paying double for a few days.
"This isn’t the full picture though, as fares across the board are rising by an average 3.4 per cent.
"There are ways passengers can try to beat the fares hike and cut the cost of train travel - for example, by splitting tickets, checking if they have the right type of ticket, buying single tickets instead of returns, using railcards, and booking as early as possible.";
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The price hike comes after train bosses admitted most ticket machines are still not letting passengers know they could get a cheaper fare for their journey - despite new guidelines being introduced a year ago.
The Department of Transport admitted that just 30 per cent of machines are warning passengers that a cheaper ticket would be available if, for example, they changes the time of their journey.
You can find out how much your season ticket will rise by using the
Beat the January ticket hikes
If you buy you season ticket before January 2, you'll pay the 2017 price. Here's MSE on what you need to do.
Check how much your ticket will go up by - Many season tickets will be rising by 3.6 per cent next week. Use National Rail's season ticket calculator to check how much yours is increasing.
Check restrictions - You can usually buy season tickets up to seven days before they're due to start. To pay the 2017 price, your ticket must start by January 1, so the trick won't work if you want it to start any later.
Check your ticket station is open - As it's Christmas, many ticket offices might be shut or have reduced opening hours. If you're planning on buying your ticket in person make sure your office is open and if your renewing online, check how long it will take for your ticket to be delivered.
Is is worth renewing early? If your ticket expires soon after January 1, it could be worth you renewing a few days early, even if it means paying for two season tickets for a little while. But if your current ticket expires more than two weeks into the new year, it's unlikely it'll be worth you renewing early as it will cancel out the saving you make with the 2017 price.
Rail firms must publish their timetable 12 weeks in advance and usually start selling their cheapest tickets a couple of weeks after so keep an eye on when they do so you can take advantage.
which will let you work out if its cheaper for you to "split" your train tickets instead of just buying a normal return.
And now there's lots of railcards - such as Senior, Young Persons, and Two Together, you can use to cut your fares by as much as a third.
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