RAIL passengers that rely on services to commute from south Essex into the capital are “livid” at the largest rail fee hikes in more than a decade.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is raising regulated fares in England will increase by up to 5.9 per cent from March 5.

For rail users in Southend, this will see a peak any time return from Southend Central to London Fenchurch Street rise from £21.40 to £22.60.

Season ticket customers will see the monthly cost of travelling from Basildon to London Fenchurch Street shoot up to £326.50 from £308.40 and those travelling from Southend Central will now have to cough up £552.40, up from the current cost of £526.10.

PA news analysis of Office of Rail and Road data for standard class fares in Britain shows that would be the largest annual rise since a 6.2 per cent jump in 2012.

Scott Inness, a 45-year-old IT technician who travels into London from Southend, says he is “livid” with the price hikes.

“This is the most I can remember ticket going up by in one single year,” he said.

“And at this moment in time when we are all struggling to get by, battling out of control inflation, not to mention how ridiculous my electric and gas bills have been these last few months.”

Rail firm c2c has confirmed the costs increases which come as part of the government’s national policy for ticket price changes; it’s website will reflect the changes from March 5 onwards.

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A spokesman for Rail Delivery Group said: “Government is responsible for setting increases to fares and they recognise the need to balance how much it costs to buy a ticket against making taking the train as attractive as possible, because train travel is good for the economy, the environment, and the public finances.” 

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “This is the biggest-ever Government intervention in rail fares.

“I’m capping the rise well below inflation to help reduce the impact on passengers.

“It has been a difficult year and the impact of inflation is being felt across the UK economy. We do not want to add to the problem.

“This is a fair balance between the passengers who use our trains and the taxpayers who help pay for them.”