The UK government announced the decision as part of its wider plans to support economic growth and rebuild confidence in the rail network, though the change applies to England only, as Scotland and Wales set their own rail fare policies.

Regulated fares include season tickets, peak and off-peak returns on major intercity routes, and are normally increased each year through an inflation-linked formula. Prices rose by 4.6 per cent in March 2025, following increases of 4.9 per cent in 2024 and 5.9 per cent in 2023.

The freeze comes as the government continue renationalising the rail system. Services will fall under the new Great British Railways (GBR) body, which will be responsible for long-term planning, operations and performance.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: "We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so we’re freezing fares to help millions of passengers save money. Commuters on more expensive routes will save more than £300 per year, meaning they keep more of their hard-earned cash. This is part of our wider plans to rebuild Great British Railways the public can be proud of and rely on."

Business groups also welcomed the announcement, though some said the government must go further.

Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, said the freeze was a “welcome relief” for UK businesses.

Wratten said: "But freezing fares should be the starting point, not the headline. The government's messaging is focused solely on commuters, with no recognition of the many thousands of people who travel because their job requires it. People who visit clients, deliver projects, attend sites; everyday journeys that keep the economy functioning. What’s needed now is long-term investment in routes, reliability and ticketing reform so that rail becomes a genuinely viable option for the UK’s workforce."

The government said further details on GBR and future investment plans will be set out in early 2026.