According to passenger groups above-inflation rail fare increases of more than 6% are "completely out of kilter with the real economy". Anthony Smith of Passenger Focus said hikes were "difficult to explain" as wages were not rising by the same rate.

However the train companies argue that more money will allow greater investment in services.

Michael Roberts, of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said Monday's increases were partly because taxpayer funding was being reduced. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Fare changes this year will help pay for 265,000 extra services, all against a background which is determined by government policy to reduce the call on us as taxpayers."

The fare changes "actually in our view strike the right balance between trying to ensure a reasonable level of increase to fund in return much improved services," he added and said the average increases amounted to just £1 or £2 a day for many season ticket holders.

Commuting by rail was still "considerably less expensive than commuting by car - even allowing for falling petrol prices", he went on.

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