Anger as train fares soar by up to 13 per cent

Train companies were condemned last night after announcing that rail fares would rise by an inflation-busting 6.2 per cent in the new year, with some travellers facing rises of nearly 13 per cent.

Commuters in Kent and Sussex bore the brunt of the sharp increases, with the cost of some season tickets going up 12.8 per cent in January 2011.

The Association of Train Operating Companies attempted to put a gloss on the figures by confining itself to admitting that average fares would rise 6.2 per cent.