Another year – another train fare increase. In these financially constrained times rail commuters just might find their salary stretched even further as rail ticket prices soar by as much as 8.1 per cent in the new year. The average fare increase is 5.9 per cent, which beats November’s Retail Prices Index measure of inflation by 0.7 per cent. The rail companies claim that the increased cost will be reinvested into rail infrastructure to ensure better stations, faster trains and new trains.

Not only does Britain have some of the costliest train services, but many commuters would also argue that the service is poor – with too many people cramped into carriages and too many delays and cancellations. But, figures show that last year rail travel was up from the previous year - it will be interesting to see how the latest round of price rises affects travel numbers.