Regulated rail fares are set to increase by an average of six per cent when new ticket pricing is introduced early in 2009.

Standard off-peak ticket prices will increase by an average of seven per cent from January 2nd 2009 the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) confirmed today.

The increases in ticket prices are based on the inflation figure recorded for July plus one per cent, with rail operators arguing rising ticket prices are justified by investment in the network.

CrossCountry passengers will see the sharpest increase in prices, with an 11 per cent increase on unregulated fares now permitted.

Unregulated fares on East Midlands trains will increase by 7.4 per cent, while First Capital Connect and First Great Western will put up prices by nine and 6.6 per cent respectively.

Explaining the price increases ATOC chief executive, Michael Roberts, said: “Passengers in recent years have helped pay for 20 per cent more services, and performance in the first half of this year is at the highest level since records began, with more than 90 per cent of trains arriving on time.

“Yet, since 1996, in real terms, overall rail fares have risen by just five per cent and standard-class regulated fares are actually lower than they were in the year before privatisation.”

Despite the increases in prices the number of rail passengers is now at the highest level for 60-years.

“More than 80 per cent of rail journeys are made using either a price-regulated or discounted ticket.

“And with the real costs of motoring up by over 25 per cent since 1996, rail will continue to be an attractive option for millions of people every day,” concluded Mr Roberts.