LOCAL rail fares may have to soar across the North -East to pay for better services, the Transport Secretary has warned.

Shock proposals to wipe out fare differences across the country would see the price of tickets rise on cheaper Northern routes, Patrick McLoughlin admitted.

Commuters in the region pay up to 60 per cent less than in other parts of the country for short journeys, according to the department for transport (Dft).

For example, an annual season ticket for the 13.5 mile journey between Darlington and Middlesbrough is £928 – but Bath to Bristol, a similar distance, costs £1,504.

Asked, by The Northern Echo, if he was ruling out bringing fares into line, Mr McLoughlin said: “I’m not, er - I’m not actually ruling it in either.”

The proposal is buried in plans for the new Northern Rail and Trans-Pennine franchises, which are due to be awarded late next year and to start in February 2016.

The operators run services to Darlington, Durham City, Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Redcar, Sunderland, Newton Aycliffe, Redcar, Northallerton, York and Scarborough.

Northern transport bosses say the difference is justified because of lower incomes in the region – as well as by the older trains passengers must use.

But ministers have vowed the 30-year-old ‘Pacer’ trains – condemned as “cattle trucks” by critics – will finally be replaced, as part of the new contract to run services.

Now a consultation document for the franchises highlights how ticket prices in the North are “significantly below” prices elsewhere in the country.

And it asks: “What are your views on increasing below-average fares over time to levels on the rest of the network, in order to improve the frequency, capacity and quality of local services?”

Quizzed about the plan at Westminster, Mr McLoughlin said: “It’s a consultation document and we are asking for views on it.”

But, he added: “I want to see improved services. We are investing a lot of money into rail in the North – the Northern Hub and the new Trans-Pennine services

“There will be more pressure for better services across those areas and, eventually, better rolling stock for those areas too.”

According to the Dft, taxpayer-funded subsidies on the Northern Rail and Trans-Pennine franchises totalled £365m in 2012-13.

The row could damage George Osborne’s attempt to woo Northern voters by proposing a ‘HS3’ high-speed rail line across the Pennines.

Rail chiefs also recently admitted plans to electrify the route between York and Manchester – allowing faster, ‘greener’ services – are in jeopardy, because of doubts over the cost.

Stephen Joseph, of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “This matters politically because there are marginal constituencies in the North which will decide the next election.”