RAIL fares are to be frozen for the first time in 30 years — effectively saving workers hundreds of pounds on travel.
In a small ray of light for millions, the Chancellor is set to freeze fares in the Budget on Wednesday.
It means travellers will not pay more for season tickets or peak returns next year.
Off-peak returns are also staying the same.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “At the Budget I’ll set out the fair choices to deliver on the country’s priorities to cut NHS waiting lists, cut national debt and cut the cost of living.
“That’s why we’re choosing to freeze rail fares for the first time in 30 years, which will ease pressure on household finances and make travelling to work, school or to visit friends and family that bit easier.”
The changes are part of Labour’s plans to rebuild a publicly-owned Great British Railways.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the freeze would help “millions” of people save money.
Ministers claim the freeze means a commuter travelling to work three days a week using flexi-season tickets could save £315 a year from Milton Keynes to London, £173 from Woking to London and £57 from Bradford to Leeds.
Rail fares rose by an average 5.1 per cent in the year until March.
