Commuters in England face 6.2% rise in average train fares after a shock increase in the Retail Prices Index measure of inflation. Cars, air fares, clothing and housing are being blamed for the surprise rise in the Consumer Prices Index of inflation.
The transport secretary Justine Greening has said she is keen to see "what we can do to keep rail fares down to something affordable".
She added: "I shall be looking at whether there is a way of doing that in the autumn but we have to stick with our deficit-reduction policy."
Ms Greening was asked whether there would be Treasury money available for rail that would enable the fare rise to be reduced. She replied: "Well, if you don't ask, you don't get."
The rise in inflation means more misery for commuters as train companies can increase fares up by 6.2%. Will the Chancellor step in?
Today's inflation figures will give an indication of the level of rail fare increase we can expect in January. So what is driving that rise?
Commuters are braced for more misery as inflation figures were higher than expected meaning that train companies can charge more.