TRAIN fares will go up by an average of 2.3 per cent next year, the rail industry has announced.

The price hike will come into effect from January 2 and affect all ticket types.

Lianna Etkind of the Campaign for Better Transport condemned the increase this morning, warning that some passengers are 'finding themselves priced off the railways'.

For Oxford commuters, ticket costs could increase:

  • Off-peak return, Oxford to London Paddington: From £25 to £25.57
  • Twelve month season ticket, Oxford to London Paddington: From £4,920 to £5,033
  • Off-peak return, Oxford to Birmingham New Street: From £36.60 to £37.33
  • Twelve month season ticket, Oxford to Birmingham New Street: From £5,100 to £5,217.30

Mrs Etkind added: "Between 1995 and 2016 passengers have seen average fares increase by 23.5% and much more needs to be done by train operators and the Government to give them a truly affordable railway."

Rail , Maritime and Transport Union general secretary Mick Cash said the announcement was 'another kick in the teeth' for British passengers. 

He added: "Once again the rip-off private train companies are laughing all the way to the bank as they whack up fares and axe staff in all-out dash to maximise their profits.

"This culture of private greed on Britain's railways has to stop and RMT will step up the fight for a publicly-owned railway where services and safety are the priority, not corporate profits. "

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group which represents train operators and Network Rail, said: "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.

"Fares are influenced by government policy, either through government-regulated fares such as season tickets or as a result of the payments train companies make to government."

Is your ticket price set to soar in January? Tell us your thoughts: hsomerville@nqo.com