The operators of the Watford Miniature Railway in Cassiobury Park have announced fares will be increasing in response to "significantly" rising costs.
In a post on its Facebook page, the railway service, which has been providing fun for families for over 60 years, says the fare "must be at a level that covers the basic cost of running it".
From April 1 this year, a fare will increase from £2 to £2.50 per person.
In the post, the miniature railway gave an explanation as to why the price is going up for the first time since 2017.
It says it is always a "difficult balancing act" setting a fare and said there are four main costs associated with the six-minute long railway ride - wages, rent, insurance, and fuel.
Watford Miniature Railway, which was taken over by Southern Miniature Railways Ltd in 2017 after the previous owners retired, says wages have increased by 30 per cent, fuel costs by 110 per cent, and insurance by 30 per cent.
The rent it pays its landlord Watford Borough Council has also increased and the miniature railways says there will be another rent increase this summer which "looks to be around a 50 per cent increase on the 2017 rent".
The attraction, which has suffered financially because of the pandemic as well as serious flooding in 2020, said: "As you can see all the basic day to day costs have gone up by at least 30 per cent, in some cases quite a lot more. £2.50 is a 25 per cent increase in the fare.
"We appreciate with rising living costs that budgets will be stretched, and understand if because of the new fare you won’t be able to ride the train as often.
"However, if you think an extra 50p is worth it to see the railway running into the future we look forward to seeing you this summer, and if you’re a regular visitor we would really encourage you to buy a multi-ride ticket!"
The Facebook post has received several supportive comments, including some who say £2.50 is still a "bargain".
The railway, which runs through the woodland at Watford's biggest park, is open at weekends and during the school holidays.
For more information visit http://watfordrailway.co.uk/
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