Rail fare increases to be limited

Regulated rail fares in England are to be capped next year, the Government has announced. They will now be increased by a maximum of 6.1%.

Here is a selection of views from ITV News' Facebook followers on the changes:

Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport has said "there's still a gaping hole at the centre of the Government's fares policy" despite next year's rise cap.

"Whilst trials for things like part-time season tickets are very welcome, the biggest issue has always been annual above-inflation fare increases and there is no change of policy on this.

"This is bitter news for everyone who relies on the train to get to work, not least the large number of commuters in marginal constituencies who will be a key group at the next election."

• In England, regulated fares will rise by a maximum of 6.1% in the new year.
• In Scotland, the January 2014 regulated fare rise will be 3.1%, based on the formula of RPI plus 0%.
• The Welsh new year fare rise has yet to be announced.

Read: Rail fare increases to be limited in England

Bob Crow, leader of the RMT transport union, has said that the announcement that rail fare increases are to be capped next year is a "total con".

Regulated fares in England could have gone up by 9.1% in January but they will now be a maximum of 6.1%.

"This is a total con that will still leave the vast majority paying inflation-busting fares to pump up the profits of the private train operators.

"For a few it will feel like having your wallet nicked with the mugger then handing you a few bob back to buy a pint. Nobody will be fooled by this political stunt.

Read: How the increase in rail fares will be restricted

• The average rise of regulated fares in maintained at 1% above RPI inflation
• The new year rise is based on the July 2013 RPI inflation rate, which was 3.2%
• The Government announced that the ability of train operators to add an additional 5% to some individual fares is to be limited to just 2%

• In January 2014, no regulated fare - which includes season tickets - can go up by no more than 6.2%

Shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh says the Government's rail fare increase cap is "too little too late".

"Over the last three years David Cameron has failed to stand up for working people, allowing train companies to hit passengers with inflation-busting fare rises of up to nine per cent," she said.

"Far from addressing his failure, this is cold comfort for commuters - it has taken 18 months, delivers fare increases of up to six per cent and is too little too late.

"This announcement doesn't go as far as Labour's plans which would prevent train companies from increasing fares beyond one per cent above inflation."

Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, has welcomed the cap on rail fare increases.

He said: "Passengers will be pleased to hear that the amount train companies can raise individual regulated fares by has been limited.

"We have been calling for this to happen for years - it is a step towards a fairer system. This will allow passengers to plan with a bit more certainty and have confidence that actual regulated fare rises will bear more relation to the figures set by government."