RAIL fares will rise by more than the rate of inflation next year despite taxpayers already pumping up to £10 billion into private operators’ pockets to help them through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fares usually rise in January but they will be “frozen” until March 1. Ripped-off passengers will then see fares rise by 2.6 per cent, one per cent above the retail prices index (RPI).

Typical increases will see a Brighton-London annual season ticket hiked by around £129 to £5,109, and a Manchester-Glasgow off-peak return rising by £2.30 to £90.60.