HAMPSHIRE rail users have slammed plans to increase mid-morning and first class fares which could see ticket prices rise by an inflation-busting 20 per cent.
From May 20, anyone travelling between 10am and noon will be hit by the new price hikes, which will see cheap day return tickets from Southampton to Waterloo jump by over £5.
The new fares are a result of a new price band, and could see a rise of up to 20 per cent on standard off-peak tickets.
Anyone travelling between Southampton and Waterloo in this time will see their fare rise from £27.20 to £32.64.
All-day first class fares are also due to rise by 20 per cent, and off-peak fares will rise by three per cent.
Rail watchdog Passenger Focus' chief executive Anthony Smith added: "These increases are unacceptable and come only a matter of months after their last price rises. The affordable, turn-up and go railway has been further eroded and SWT is exploiting a monopoly market."
South West Trains said that it has bumped up its mid-morning prices to encourage more people to travel during off-peak times.
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