Keith Bill: The increases will be a "colossal burden" for passengers

Fares on key commuter routes are controlled by the Rail Franchise Director and some will rise by less than the rate of inflation.

But Save our Railways (SOR) says that half of all train fares not already pegged by the rail franchise watchdog are set to rise, by as much as 23%.

Fares set to increase cover travel across the whole rail network, including first, standard, supersaver and saver tickets, the pressure group said.

'Shocking' increases

SOR chief Keith Bill said: "Our findings will shock government ministers and horrify rail passengers.

"If these kind of fare increases continue year on year, then we haven't a hope in hell of getting people out of their cars and on to the trains."

The new fares come into force on 4 January.

The survey was conducted for SOR by fares and timetable expert Barry Doe. It covers fares from London to a range of destinations covered by the Great Western, Virgin, South West Trains and Great North Eastern rail companies.

Some of the increased fares in the SOR survey include:

• London to Birmingham first class fare increasing by 23%

• London to Manchester first class fares rising by 21.4%

• Rises in from-London standard fares of 19.6% to Manchester, 18% to Birmingham, 12.9% to Liverpool, 10% to Crewe and 9.7% to Edinburgh and Glasgow

• Highest supersaver increases are Cardiff (up 8.8%), Exeter (up 8.1%), Penzance (up 8.0%) and Plymouth (up 7.1%)

• Saver fares are generally increased by 4-5%.

Mr Bill said: "What makes it worse is that there are now many more restrictions on when supersavers and savers can be used. Passengers are finding they are forced to buy standard singles or returns - at the much higher rates."

'Fares will fall'

But the Association of Train Operating Companies called into question the SOR's findings.

It said: "This was a highly-selective sample from 40 million possible ticket combinations.

"Our independent research shows that unregulated fares nationally are only going up by an average of 4.5%. Average rail fares will continue to fall in real terms as they have done over the last three years."