MP for Erith and Thamesmead Teresa Pearce has joined a prominent Kent councillor in condemning proposed increases in rail fares from January 2013.

The government has set fares to rise by the level of inflation + 3 per cent next year.

This will mean a minimum 6.2 per cent rise after the RPI rate of inflation for July was confirmed yesterday (August 14) at a higher-than-expected 3.2 per cent.

But some stations could see even higher increases as train operators are allowed to increase or decrease regulated fares by a further 5 per cent, meaning some rail passengers could see rises of up to 11.2 per cent next year.

"I think it’s disgraceful," said Ms Pearce. "It’s like an extra tax on people who live in southeast London."

She told News Shopper her constituents regularly complain they are not getting value for money from operator Southeastern Trains. 

"To be putting prices up when people aren’t seeing the level of improvement they should be seeing, that is not good enough," said Ms Pearce.

"It adds insult to injury really. There are an awful lot of unemployed people here and when it comes to travelling for interviews it’s massively inhibitive."

Bryan Sweetland, Kent County Council cabinet member for environment, highways & waste, joined calls for Southeastern to show restraint on pricing.

"Any further increase, on top of the proposed 6.2 per cent, would be totally unacceptable," he said.

"Kent County Council urges Southeastern not to impose any higher increases on top of the basic nationwide increase in inflation of 3 per cent.

"We eventually want to see no increase in rail fares above the level of inflation," he added.

Online reaction to the story from News Shopper readers was similar.

PaulErith wrote: "Whilst I actually think that the current cost of travel into central London on Southeastern is not that bad, I still think that a percentage increase this high is not justified.

"With many people's wages being stagnant, their standard of living is already falling.

"A further above inflation increase will only make things worse."

Responding to concerns on behalf of Southeastern and other train operators, Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said:

"The government decides the average increase of commuter ticket prices and other regulated fares which train companies will be required to introduce in January 2013.

"It has been government policy during the past eight years for passengers to pay a larger share of the cost of operating the railways and to focus taxpayers’ money on investing in longer term improvements to the network.

"Any flexibility train companies have within the rules is to maximise revenue for the government."