Train fares to increase by an average of 2.3%

Train fares in Britain are set to rise by an average of 2.3% from 2 January 2017, according to the rail industry.

The price hike covers regulated fares, which includes season tickets, and unregulated fares like off-peak leisure tickets.

Regulated fares are capped at July’s Retail Prices Index inflation rate of 1.9%. Unregulated fares however have no cap and could face a price rise of more than 2.3%. These fares overtake the inflation rate of 0.9% as measured by the Consumers Prices Index.

"Passengers will now want to see the industry's investment deliver a more reliable day-to-day railway," said Anthony Smith, chief executive of the watchdog Transport Focus

"The government should consider setting rail fare rises around the Consumer Prices Index instead to bring rail fares into line with other recognised measures of inflation."

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, said operators are working to simplify fares and improve services.

"We understand how passengers feel when fares go up, and we know that in some places they haven't always got the service they pay for. Around 97p in every pound passengers pay goes back into running and improving services," said Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group.