Rail Fare Hikes

There has been an angry reaction to the latest increase in rail fares.

Ticket prices have gone up by an average of 3.9% , meaning regular commuters will now have to shell out hundreds of pounds more, to travel the same distance.

Unions are calling it the Great Train Robbery, saying it's the 10th successive rise, above inflation.

Operators insist the extra money will allow them to improve the rail network.

Watch the full report from Hannah McNulty below.

Stephen Joseph, the Chief Executive of the independent charity, the Campaign for Better Transport joined us in our London studio to discuss the rise in rail fares.

The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has defended the way rail companies apply the fare rises that Government policy allows them. While rail fares can only go up by inflation plus 1% that is the average figure which is why some fares have risen by much more today.

Edward Welsh, ATOC spokesman told ITV News: "Just as they might increase them above 4.2% they have to de-crease them elsewhere.

"It's like a traditional pair of kitchen scales. The Government ensures that all the fares come back to 4.2%."

Train operators say the rise in rail fares will allow investment in the infrastructure, but the RMT Union say passengers are facing a bleak future.

Rail passengers are being hit in the pocket as inflation-busting fare rises take effect.

Regulated fares, which include season tickets, are increasing by an average of 4.2%, with the overall average rise for all tickets being 3.9%

Campaign groups have pointed out today's increase is the 10th successive above-inflation rise, with some rail season ticket holders seeing their fares rise by more than 50% in the last 10 years. Also, the TUC has said that fares have risen far faster than wages since the recession in 2008.

ScotRail fares will rise by 3.9%.