Train fares to soar for Brighton and Hove commuters

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.