Commuters feel the brunt of fare hike

5:30am Wednesday 2nd January 2008

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By Julian Robinson »

THOUSANDS of Hampshire commuters are today feeling the brunt of new-year rail fare hikes.

Commuters were arriving at stations this morning to find that prices had been increased by an average of 4.8 per cent.

Passengers travelling on South West Trains, Southern and First Capital Connect have all been affected by the hikes.

The new fares will see a season ticket from Southampton Central to London Waterloo increase by £180 from £3,952 to £4,132.

And off-peak fares were also expected to increase between five and eight per cent.

Denis Fryer from the South Hampshire Rail Users' Group said some off-peak services to London had increased by as much as 25 per cent in a year, if 2007 fare increases were taken into account.

Despite the criticism, rail bosses have defended the price hikes claiming they are needed if they are to roll out improvements to services.

South West Trains says off-peak fares overall will increase by an average of 4.3 per cent and regulated fares will increase by an average of 4.8 per cent - in line with national averages. Meanwhile, more than 5,000 of its super off-peak fares will be frozen.