A union leader has condemned a hefty hike in fares for rail travellers as unacceptable.

RMT north west regional organiser Daren Ireland slated the Government after the biggest hike in season ticket prices for five years - 3.6 per cent - was announced.

It's a move that critics say will heap further pressure of on households struggling with higher inflation.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation, which the Government uses to calculate the rise in regulated rail fares, rose to 3.6% last month, from 3.5 per cent in June.

The outcome puts millions of passengers on course for the largest increase in fares since 2013 when price changes come into force in the new year.

Regulated rail fares make up around half of all tickets and include season tickets, standard and saver return fares.

Mr Ireland said: "It is absolutely appalling that the train owners are increasing their fares.

"Carlisle annual season tickets to Newcastle are going up from £3,056 to £3,166, an increase of £110.

"They are completely unnecessary. Passengers have seen profits maxed at the expense of the passenger."

Changes mean increase on a string of busy routes to and through Cumbria.

Off-peak fares changes from January

  • Carlisle-Workington: £8.50 to £8.81
  • Carlisle-Whitehaven: £9.90-£10.26
  • Carlisle-London Euston: £116.60-£120.80

The other 55 per cent of train fares - including first-class tickets, advance purchases and some off-peak fares - are not regulated.

Passengers had a mixed response to the increase as it was announced.

Jo Muter, 70, of Upperby, Carlisle, said: "If you want to travel on the trains you have to pay the prices. It is still cheaper than driving a car these days. People will be expecting the service to improve though."

Melissa Clarke, 23, London Road, Carlisle, added of the fares: "They're very expensive. If it was priced more reasonably, more people would use them. It would be more fair."

John Wardle, 64, of Etterby, said: "I think it is appalling. If the money was invested in the right places, then Ok. There's nothing in place for anyone that has a disability. When will they start investing?"

According to a recent survey by Transport Focus, fewe than half (47 per cent) of customers are happy with the value of their train tickets.
Increase in rail fares over the past five years

Mr Ireland is calling for the re-nationalisation of the railways, as he sees it as the only way to keep prices down:

"Our view is that if the railways are re-nationalised that fares could be reduced by nearly 20%. What we are saying is that the rich train companies are set to make an extra £350 million from the increases."

The government say the extra revenue will be invested back into railway infrastructure.

In the next five years, Network Rail plans to spend more than £40 billion to maintain and improve the network.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said:

“We are investing in the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century to improve services for passengers – providing faster and better trains with more seats.

"We have always fairly balanced the cost of this investment between the taxpayer and the passenger.

"We are driving the industry hard to improve efficiency to ensure we maximise the value of passengers’ and taxpayers’ investment in the railways."