MILLIONS of rail passengers face a rise in fares of nearly 6 per cent, the largest in more than a decade, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced today.

Regulated fares in England will increase by up to 5.9 per cent from March 5 next year, the DfT said.

According to analysis of Office of Rail and Road data for standard-class fares in Britain, that will be the largest annual rise since a 6.2 per cent jump in 2012.