CUMBRIAN commuters are to face an increase in rail fares next year - the largest rise since January 2013.

The rail industry has announced that Britain’s fares will increase by an average of 3.1 per cent on Wednesday, January 2.

Many long-distance commuters will see the annual cost of getting to work increase by more than £100.

A ‘cheapest standard single’ ticket for the 5.45pm Carlisle to Newcastle Northern service for December 10 costs £8, while on January 14, the same ticket for the 5.45pm service will cost £8.50.

Elsewhere, a ‘cheapest standard single’ ticket for the 5.06pm Northern service from Carlisle to Whitehaven is £10.10 for December 10, with the same ticket for the service on January 14 costing £10.40.

For a Northern Rail journey from Carlisle to Barrow-in-Furness, a ‘cheapest standard single’ ticket costs £16.80 for December 10, and on January 14, the same ticket will rise to £17.30.

Paul Plummer, chief executive of industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), said: “Nobody wants to pay more to travel, especially those who experienced significant disruption earlier this year.

“Money from fares is underpinning the improvements to the railway that passengers want and which ultimately help boost the wider economy.

“That means more seats, extra services and better connections right across the country.”

There have been calls for prices to be frozen following chaos caused by the implementation of new timetables in May.

Reacting to the news, Tim Farron MP for Westmoreland and Lonsdale, said: “We have had the worst year for rail reliability and any basic provision of service in living memory.

“I can’t think of any example in history of an entire train line being closed down for a month.

“But now they are rewarding employees with a pay rise, which is another kick in the teeth for commuters.

“I met with the Rail Delivery Group last week, who represent all the operators and Network Rail.

“They said directly to me that current affairs are sufficient to cover the costs of the industry. They don’t need to increase prices, so this is being greedy and unnecessary.

“It is a huge insult to everyone who has suffered due to their poor performance in the last year. It is yet another incentive for commuters to find alternative ways of transport.

“The number of children using the Lakes and Furness line to go to school has dropped.

“For the Government to reward companies who failed us all last summer is an outrage and unacceptable.”

The increase of about 40 per cent of fares, including season tickets, is regulated by the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments.

This is predominantly capped at July’s RPI inflation figure, which was 3.2 per cent.

Other fare rises are decided by train companies.