In a landmark move for Britain's transport network, the Government has declared a complete freeze on rail fares, the first such action in three decades.
This unprecedented decision, announced on Saturday 22nd November 2025, is set to save millions of passengers significant sums on their travel costs, offering direct relief to household budgets.
Substantial Savings for Commuters
The freeze will apply to all regulated fares, encompassing season tickets, peak returns for commuters, and off-peak returns between major cities. The Government estimates this will benefit over a billion passenger journeys annually.
Passengers on the most expensive routes will see the greatest financial benefit. Commuters on these pricier journeys are projected to save more than £300 each year. To illustrate the impact, a typical flexi-season ticket user travelling three days a week will save approximately £315 on a Milton Keynes to London route, £173 from Woking to London, and £57 from Bradford to Leeds.
Part of a Wider Vision for Public Rail
Ministers have positioned this fare freeze as a cornerstone of their broader strategy to rebuild the rail network under public ownership as Great British Railways. The initiative aims to deliver better value for money by modernising the ticketing system.
Plans include the widespread introduction of tap-in tap-out technology and digital ticketing, alongside significant investment in superfast wifi across the network. The announcement applies to all rail services in England and those operated by English train companies.
Cross-Sector Welcome for the Freeze
The policy has been met with widespread approval from rail unions and passenger advocacy groups. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated the freeze was a "fair choice" to ease cost-of-living pressures, making travel for work, education, and family visits more accessible.
Echoing this sentiment, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasised that the move would allow commuters to "keep more of their hard-earned cash."
Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, welcomed the decision, noting it would help reverse a trend of "pricing people off our railways" and support Britain's green alternative for transport.
The passenger watchdog, Transport Focus, and the RMT union also praised the freeze. Eddie Dempsey of the RMT described it as a "welcome first step" that would encourage greater use of public transport, boost local economies, and benefit the environment.
While the Conservative party welcomed the freeze, Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden commented that the Government was "late to the platform," citing previous Conservative policies of below-inflation fare rises.
