RAIL users say future ticket hikes will be unfair to suburban commuters.

South Eastern Trains' (SET) regulated fares, which are fixed at inflation rate plus one per cent and include season tickets and standard tickets, rose by 3.9 per cent on January 2.

But from January next year, SET ticket prices will rise by nearly six per cent a year for at least five years to help pay for investments, including a £250m fleet of new high-speed trains to take passengers from Kent into London as part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

The increase is made up of a three per cent fixed rise above the rate of inflation, plus the standard rate of inflation which is currently 2.9 per cent.

The news comes after new train operator Govia announced it will take over SET's franchise in April until at least 2012.

Rail passenger groups say the rises are excessive and unfair on the passengers who will not use the high-speed trains set to run from Kent into London from 2009.

Chairman of London TravelWatch Brian Cooke said: "We are very concerned about the fare rises of three per cent above inflation.

"While this may represent a good deal for Kent passengers who will benefit from the fast link service, it is certainly a raw deal for passengers travelling from the suburbs of London.

"These commuters will not use the fast link service and will be paying for high-speed trains they will not benefit from.

"It is also unfair rail passengers are paying extra money for a service which is not even completed yet."

By 2012, commuters travelling from Bromley South into London could pay around £36 for a weekly travel ticket more than £10 over the current price.

Govia says there are no plans in place to offer reductions for commuters not using the fast link service.

Spokesman Samantha Hodder said: "We have an obligation to attract customers. Reductions for customers not using the fast link service is something we will discuss over the coming months."