The increase has angered passengers and Labour politicians in Milton Keynes, who warn that the price of an annual season ticket could have risen by a further £1,000 before the next general election, due by 2015.
The Fair Fares Now campaign estimates that fares – including off-peak – will be around 24% higher by the time of the next election.
The government had been planning to allow rail companies to raise the cost of fares by Retail Price Index inflation plus 3 % but was forced to reduce it to inflation plus 1% following a backlash from campaigners and the public.
This will still see season tickets holders paying £4,408 to travel to London, excluding tube fares.
The average fare increase on London Midland trains is 4.2%, says the train operator. Yet commuters prices to London are going up by 6.5%.
Andrew Pakes, Labour & Co-operative Parliamentary Spokesperson for Milton Keynes said: “Yet another cold start to the year for commuters facing higher prices for the same journey. We have the highest fares in Europe and an extra £268 will be another knock for many commuters facing rising living costs, frozen wages and cuts to tax credits.”
