31 January 2011
Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire, Liberal Democrats): Asked the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the change in real terms of the cost of travelling by (a) private car, (b) bus, (c) train and (d) domestic aeroplane since (i) 1981 and (ii) 1997.
Norman Baker (Transport Minister, Liberal Democrats): Between 1981 and 2010 the real cost of motoring, including the purchase of a vehicle, declined by 10%, bus and coach fares increased by 56% and rail fares increased by 51% in real terms. These figures are based on the transport components of the retail prices index.
Between 1997 and 2010 the real cost of motoring, including the purchase of a vehicle, declined by 7%, bus and coach fares increased by 24% and rail fares increased by 17% in real terms.
The costs of travelling by air are not available from the retail prices index. However, the cost of the average UK one-way air fare, including taxes and charges, covering domestic flights fell by 35% in real terms between 1997 and 2008, the latest date for which figures are available.
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