THE Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association has called this year's annual rail fare hikes 'difficult to justify' following a tumultuous year on the Mid Cheshire Line.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 2, rail fares rise by a government-set average of 3.1 per cent across the country.

This translates to a monthly season ticket increase from £233.50 to £240.80 for Northwich-to-Manchester commuters, while an off-peak return to Chester rises by 2.6 per cent, from £11.50 to £11.80.

Duo tickets for off-peak travel, when two adults travel together, are still available. No railcard is required and the second person travels at half price.

John Oates, chairman of MCRUA, said: “Rail fares increase at the beginning of January every year – the increase being set by the Government for “regulated fares” and based on the annual Retail Price Index increase the previous July.

“MCRUA both understand and respect that if we are to have a better train service on the Mid Cheshire Line, we will need to pay more in line with inflation.

“The Mid Cheshire Line carries many commuters into Manchester and leisure travellers into Chester.

“As we campaign for the environment, it is quite unfair that car fuel duties have been frozen for the last eight years but rail fares continue to increase on a yearly basis.

“It is difficult to justify why Mid Cheshire Line passengers should pay more for their travel when the services during 2018 have been so unreliable. We have had no Saturday services on the line since last August, we still have old 1980s Pacer rolling stock and the promised two trains per hour has not been delivered.

“If you went to the cinema and had to hang around in the foyer for an hour for the film to start and then found you had to stand up to watch the film, you would not expect your cinema ticket to increase in price.

“Whilst most rail users expect rail fares to increase in January, it is never welcome especially if you have had a year of delays and disruptions."