BOSSES at South West Trains (SWT) claim they will deliver a better deal for travellers when fare price changes kick in at the start of the new year.

SWT management says there will be no increase in average fares across the network due to prize freezes on other tickets – and the company, which is operated by Stagecoach Group, has stated fare changes across the UK are the lowest since privatisation.

Prices across the UK rail network, as a whole, will rise by an average of 1.1 per cent, which is below the expected rate of inflation next year.

Andy Pitt, managing director of SWT, said: “We are committed to playing our part in providing affordable rail travel, and our package of fares changes in January will deliver a price freeze or price cuts for millions of passengers.

“While there will be limited increases on a small proportion of ‘turn-up-and-go tickets, after all the fare changes at South West Trains, there is no change to the average fare paid across our network.”

From January 2, changes will include cheaper standard class season tickets, most first-class fares will be frozen or reduced, and many off-peak fares will be frozen.

Most passengers using SWT services within London will also see their fares frozen as part of the introduction of Oyster Pay As You Go on National Rail services.

For more information, visit southwesttrains.co.uk.