South Essex commuters face an above-inflation hike in the cost of season tickets into London.
They are likely to have to fork out an extra four per cent from January following a move by the Strategic Rail Authority to remove a cap on fare increases.
It would mean a regular traveller from Southend to Fenchurch Street paying an extra £80 for their season ticket if train operators c2c and First Great Eastern take advantage of the decision.
The Government and the Strategic Rail Authority is insisting taxpayers should stop subsiding commuters - and is removing the cap which in recent years has limited increases to one per cent below inflation.
But the move is likely to spark anger among rail passenger groups, who complain of late trains and a cut in the number of services.
Rail sources said that a statement by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, in the Commons today, could also include provisions for a national rail card, bringing fare discounts.
Peter Slattery, chairman of Southend Rail Travellers' Association said: "There have been rumours that they were going to change the rule but it was meant to be set at the inflation rate, not one per cent above it."
A spokesman for First Great Eastern said: "This is a decision by the Strategic Rail Authority and there is nothing we can say at the moment."
Published Thursday, June 19, 2003
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