Rail passengers in Essex are set for more bad news after operators today announced plans to raise prices on thousands of off-peak network railcard fares.

Until now, passengers buying £20 network railcards on the First Great Eastern network and other operators in the region have been entitled to one third off any journey after 10am on a weekday.

But from June 2, rail companies propose to introduce a minimum fare of £10 for railcard holders nationally, as companies say they are losing a total of £5-10 million a year across the UK by operating the scheme.

The new arrangement will mean card holders paying more than at present for any fare under £15.

For example, railcard holders who take an off-peak single trip from Colchester to Witham now pay a discounted fare of £2.70 rather than the normal fare of £4.10.

Anglia Railways does not accept network cards, and will offer an identical fare from June 2 if the idea is brought in.

Graham Male, of the Colchester Rail Users Association, said: "It seems a perverse way to encourage people to use the train."

Although the move is unlikely to affect commuters, he added, daytime users, including families and the elderly, will be the ones to suffer financially.

A spokeswoman for First Great Eastern Trains said it was unlikely to affect many people on a regular basis though.

"There are not many journeys around Colchester which are below the £10 minimum it is mainly targeted at the metro area," she said.

Published Monday, March 4, 2002