COMMUTERS in Warrington could see the price of their annual season ticket increase by £55.

The Warrington to Manchester route will increase from £1,732 to £1,787 while all Liverpool to Manchester routes will increase more than £100 per year. 

The Trades Union Congress says the rail fare increase is 'an insult to hard-pressed commuters'.

Commenting on today’s announcement, TUC north west regional secretary Lynn Collins said: “This is an insult to commuters across the region.

“After a year of delays, cancellations and overcrowded trains the last thing they deserve is another wage-busting fare hike.

“It’s time to bring services back under public ownership. This would free up money to lower ticket prices and allow for much-needed investment in our railways, including keeping the guards on our trains. It’s quite a strange logic that workers are expected to pay more when they have been getting less of a service than before.

“Private train companies are squandering millions every year on shareholder dividends. Chris Grayling should be getting tough on them, not threatening to cut rail workers’ pay.”

This increase comes as TUC analysis earlier this week showed that fares have increased at more than twice the speed of wages since 2008. 
The figures show that rail fares have risen by 42 per cent over the past ten years, while nominal weekly earnings have only grown by 18 per cent.

TUC analysis published in January showed that UK commuters spend up to 6 times more of their salary on rail fares than other European passengers.

Meanwhile members of the RMT campaigned outside Warrington Central station this morning over rail fares and a threat to jobs.

The next recommended rail fare increase is set to be announced today, Wednesday and is expected to be around 3.5 per cent.

Members of the rail union lobbied passengers over increased fares and job cuts.

It comes amid a row with transport secretary Chris Grayling.

He is suggesting future fare and wage increases to be based on the lower Consumer Price Index.

The RMT says this will introduce a 'pay cap' for rail staff.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "If Chris Grayling seriously thinks that front line rail workers are going to pay the price for his gross incompetence and the greed of the private train companies he's got another thing coming.

"This is a basket case Government and a lame duck transport secretary continuing i‎t is all out war on staff and passengers alike.

"RMT will fight any attempt to impose a pay cap on our members in a drive to protect private train company profits."