THE campaigning transport group Transform Scotland has criticised the Chancellor’s announcement in the Comprehensive Spending Review that rail fares are to be increased from 2012 by 3 per cent above the Retail Price Index for the following three years.

The present cap on the increase to regulated fares is RPI + 1 per cent, and the next rises according to this formula are due at the start of January.

Transform Scotland director Colin Howden said: “The UK transport minister Philip Hammond took the opportunity soon after May’s General Election to announce that the reputed ‘war on the motorist’ was over. Well, today's decision to hike up rail fares represents a real war on rail travellers.

“The price of motoring continues to fall while the price of rail travel continues to rise - so it is indefensible that the Coalition has decided to hit rail users rather than tackle car use.

“The decision to increase rail fares will drive people off trains and back on to the roads. It is well-known that it is the price of using trains that is the key issue that deters greater use of rail travel.

“The announcement also represents a major u-turn by the Liberal Democrats as they promised a reduction in rail fares in their manifesto for the 2010 General Election.”