Train fares from stations in Brighton, Hove and Portslade will go up by up to 12.8 per cent from January.
The price of a Southern season ticket to London from Brighton will be £3,832 – up from £3,556 and a rise of nearly 8 per cent.
First Capital Connect is offering a cheaper deal and a lower price rise. It’s annual season ticket price will be £3,200 – up from £3,104 and a rise of just over 3 per cent.
The steepest fare increases are reserved for off-peak passengers.
Gerry Doherty, leader of the TSSA rail union, said: “It’s outrageous that commuters are being forced to pay fare hikes when they are themselves facing pay freezes and job cuts.”
One Hove commuter said: “With the price of the tickets going up again and add in the cost of parking at the station and you wonder whether you’d be better off driving.
“I reckon a lot more people will start driving.
“It’s not as if you’re even guaranteed a seat in the rush hour.
“And the formula for putting up fares is going to change for the worse for people like me.
“From 2012 it’s going to inflation plus 3 per cent.”
At the moment, the broad rule of thumb is inflation plus 1 per cent, using the Retail Prices Index (RPI). The change is in part an attempt by the coalition government to cut taxpayer subsidies to the train companies.
He added: “The only thing that’s stopping me from driving right now is the phenomenal cost of diesel and the even more eye-watering cost of parking in London.
“If I could get a job locally, I would.
“The government and the train companies have got us over a barrel.”
The news comes less than a week after Southern said that it’s hopes of offering extra services were ruled out because of an objection by First Capital Connect.
