TRAIN fares will increase by 1 per cent next year – the lowest price rise since 2010.

The new-year rises are based on the previous July's rate of Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation, announced by the Office for National Statistics today.

It will be the lowest rise since 2010, when fares actually decreased by 0.4%.

David Sidebottom, director of transport user watchdog Transport Focus, said: "Fares are set to increase again, but passengers will be relieved to see that fare rises in England are being capped at inflation.

"They will be pleased to see that there is no flexibility for individual fares to go up by more than this. Both of these are things we have pushed for.

"While fares are going up, for many people punctuality is going down. The poor performance in the South East in particular highlights how Network Rail and operators need to deliver a more consistent day-to-day service which passengers can rely on."

Earlier today, a new report revealed rail fares have risen almost three times faster than wages in the last five years.

Union TUC and campaign group Action for Rail’s new analysis shows that between 2010 and 2015 fares have increased by 25 per cent, while average pay went up by just 9 per cent.

The report was released this morning ahead of the announcement of inflation figures, which will be used to calculate fare rises for next year.

The increase is expected to be the lowest for decades.

The report calls for train services to be run by the public sector.

Government plans to cap annual rises in regulated fares will cost taxpayers around £700 million over the next five years, but bigger savings could be passed on to passengers if train services were run by the public sector, according to today’s announcement.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Rail fares have rocketed over the last five years leaving many commuters seriously out of pocket.

“If ministers really want to help hard-pressed commuters they need to return services to the public sector.

“This is a fair, more sustainable option and it would allow much bigger savings to be passed on to passengers. Introducing an arbitrary cap on fares is simply passing the bill on to taxpayers.

“The government wants the public to subsidise train companies’ profits and bear the cost of the fares cap.”

Are you a commuter? What do you think about the report? Contact the newsdesk on 01206 508432 or email zoe.forsey@nqe.com.