A HIKE in the cost of train fares will be a bitter pill to swallow for Northern rail passengers already reeling from a year of delays and overcrowded trains.

An announcement today confirmed that the cost of regulated rail fares will go up by 3.2 per cent next year.

In the North that will see commuters travelling from Hartlepool to Newcastle hit for an extra £50 a year and those going regularly from parts of Yorkshire into Leeds charged up to £74 more for a season ticket.

Fare prices are controlled by the Government, which uses the July Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation to set the cap on the annual increase.

Steve Chambers, public transport campaigner at Campaign for Better Transport, called on the Government to freeze fares, saying workers and families will feel the financial strain.

He said: “Rail passengers in the North of England have endured enough this year – enough delays, cancellations and overcrowding, and enough broken promises in the form of cancelled electrification projects.

“So being asked to pay more for their tickets again next year will be a bitter pill to swallow.

“With the pressure on household budgets, this further increase in the cost of getting to work will hit people hard.”

The announcement came as unions press ahead with above-inflation pay claims amid growing anger at a call by the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling for lower wage rises.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Northern commuters will be hit with yet another fare increase that outpaces pay growth. Take the journey from Hartlepool to Newcastle – it’s going to mean another £50 on a season ticket.

“After a year of delays, cancellations and overcrowded trains the last thing they deserve is another wage-busting fare hike.

“It’s time to bring services back under public ownership. This would free up money to lower ticket prices and allow for much-needed investment in our railways.”

Shadow transport secretary, Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald said: “This is a pathetic attempt by Chris Grayling to shift the blame for Tory fares policy. The amount by which train companies can raise regulated fares is the responsibility of the Transport Secretary. He has the power to enforce this, he’s just choosing not to.

“The Secretary of State has washed his hands of years of industrial action on the railway, saying it was the responsibility of train companies, but is now intervening over staff pay. At best this is a distraction technique and at worst a recipe for years of industrial action.”

The introduction of a new timetable in May caused widespread chaos across the region, for which thousands of passengers are still waiting for compensation.