SEASON tickets on commuter train services will increase in price in January after the government announced plans for a 3.2% fare hike.

The decision has been met with anger by unions, politicians and pressure groups who argue that services are declining in performance despite the large rise in costs.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) - which represents Bolton’s train operators Northern and TransPennine Express - has defended the increase, saying that the money will be used to contribute towards improvements to the rail network.

However, Bolton MPs have disputed this claims, with Chris Green saying that fares should not rise unless new infrastructure work is announced, following delays to the electrification programme which have caused major problems to Bolton commuters.

Mr Green, who formerly held a position in the Department for Transport, said:”I think the railways do need more investment and we are seeing that coming through, especially electrification.

“But, I think a great deal more work needs to be done, more carriages provided and more work delivered. When we see those, an increase in fares would be acceptable but until we see this I think an increase is unjust.”

This final increase is below the 3.6% rise introduced this January - the steepest in five years.

The rise, worked out using the Retail Price Index, means an increase of £33 a year to a Northern season ticket between Bolton and Manchester, leaving the cost at £1,053 in 2018.

The news has prompted passenger group Transport Focus to suggest prices should be frozen this year, with CEO Anthony Smith pointing to the poor performance of Northern and TransPennine Express trains following May’s timetable change as justification.

He said: “After a torrid summer, passengers hit by the timetable crisis will be amazed that the talk is about a fares increase. A fares freeze would benefit all passengers, begin the process of re-building trust and start to bring passengers back to a railway they can rely on.

“On top of stagnant or falling real incomes, rail passengers will feel the heat of any annual fares increase in regulated fares from January 2019.”

In response, Paul Plummer, RDG CEO, said: "Fares are underpinning a once-in-a-generation investment plan to improve the railway and politicians effectively determine that season ticket prices should change in line with other day-to-day costs to help fund this.

“While the industry is learning lessons from the recent timetable change, major improvements have been delivered this year from upgraded stations at London Bridge and Liverpool Lime Street to new trains in the South West and Scotland and more will be delivered in the next year.

“We understand that aspects of the current fares system are frustrating for people which is why as part of the industry’s plan, train companies are also leading a consultation to update regulation and improve the range of fares on offer, making the system simpler and easier to use for customers.”