A freeze on regulated rail fares announced in the Budget is expected to affect thousands of people travelling through Salford’s two busiest stations, arriving at a time when both Salford Central and Salford Crescent are undergoing major investment to increase capacity and improve accessibility.
The government confirmed that regulated fares, including most walk-up tickets and all season tickets, will not rise up until 2027, halting the annual increases that have typically added around five per cent to these ticket types in recent years.
Ministers have said the move will save hundreds of pounds for rail travellers, and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, hailed it as a “good move from @Heidi_Labour (Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander) and the Government” on X. But, some locals have voiced concerns that the Government aren’t doing enough, one commuter said “if you pay the price you expect them to be on time… its just not fair”.
We spoke to further regular rail users at Salford Crescent train station to hear their thoughts on the move.
Commuting every week from Bolton, Connor Parkes, said “I find [trains] reasonably priced to an extent”, and with prices stabilising, he was “happy with that”. A student said he was priced out of returning home frequently when prices rose, “return cost me about £85, it now costs £105 with Railcard”.
For passengers using local services to move around Greater Manchester, where walk-up tickets are the norm, the freeze is likely to have an immediate impact. Salford Crescent recorded almost 1.2 million entries and exits throughout 2023 and 2024, placing it among the busiest stations on the Manchester–Preston and Manchester–Wigan routes.
Passenger numbers have risen steadily as the University of Salford, MediaCityUK, and central Manchester attract more workers and students into the area. Salford Central has also seen increased footfall as investment and job growth around the city centre have made the station a key link between Salford and Manchester Victoria.
These growing numbers are a major reason behind the current investment at both stations. Salford Central recently completed a £10 million redevelopment designed to make the station capable of handling far greater footfall, with upgraded platforms, step-free access, modernised facilities and improvements intended to ease crowding.
Salford Crescent is undergoing a £21 million project to add a third platform, a change that Network Rail says will reduce delays and allow more frequent and more reliable services through one of the most congested parts of the UK rail network.
While the fare freeze will benefit passengers making these shorter regional journeys, it will not apply to many long-distance travellers who rely on advance tickets. These fares, which are set by train operators rather than the government, remain unregulated and could still rise next year.
@salfordnownews With the recent #budget announced, #rail fares are currently being frozen. Here’s what that actually means #salford ♬ original sound – Salford Now
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