Rail users in Northamptonshire are facing fare increases of nearly twice the rate of inflation from January.
It was announced today that some fares will rise by 6.2 per cent in the new year, while others could increase by more than 11 per cent.
The Government say the extra money generated will be used to fund a “massive programme” of investment in the railways, but passenger groups say the increases will heap further financial pressure on commuters.
The planned hike will mean that fares have risen by more than inflation for 10 years in a row.
The Government allows the average fare to be increased by three per cent above the Retail Price Index, which currently stands at 3.2 per cent. But some tickets can go up by a further five percentage points – more than 11 per cent – as long as they are balanced by cuts on other fares.
Brian Binley MP, chairman of Northampton Rail Users’ Group, said: “I know the Government is putting a lot of money into rail investment, but the money will be no good unless we have passengers.
“It is way above the rate of inflation. If we want people to use the railways we can’t keep increasing prices in this way. I shall be getting on to the Government about this, as I do every year.”
Almost all rail services which serve Northampton are provided by London Midland.
A spokesman said: “London Midland fares are set in line with Government policy and reflect the terms of our franchise agreement.
“The government decides the average increase of commuter ticket prices and other regulated fares which we will be required to introduce in January 2013.
“It has been government policy during the past eight years for passengers to pay a larger share of the cost of operating the railways and to focus taxpayers’ money on investing in longer term improvements to the network. Following the publication of last month’s Retail Price Index figures, we will now be carefully considering the implications and planning for fare changes in January.”
Other rail services in the county are provided by East Midlands Trains, while Virgin Trains provides services from Milton Keynes.