COMMUTERS have hit out after nationwide rail fare increases saw the cost of an annual season ticket between Kemble and London Paddington rise by £265.

The increase was a result of government directives and came into effect on January 2 and saw prices go up by an average of 2.8 per cent, meaning an annual season ticket from Kemble to the capital city now costs £8,496.

Season ticket holder David Thompson, of Tetbury, said: “It is totally unfair on passengers. If they carry on putting them up, hardly anybody will use the trains.”

Lynden Stowe leader of Cotswold District Council said: “The rise seems higher than inflation and the rises of council services.

“In line with inflation, we have frozen council tax and parking charges over the past few years and they are both capped until 2015.

“Hopefully they will keep further increases to an absolute minimum like councils.”

The Rail Delivery Group said the fare increase was the smallest in four years.