In England, regulated rail fares will increase by up to 4.9% from 3 March 2024.

Regulated rail fares include season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance routes and flexible tickets for travel around major cities.

The government said the new 4.9% cap is lower than the equivalent in Scotland, where prices will increase by up to 8.7%.

However Labour called it "another brutal bumper rise in rail fares".

Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: "With passengers facing record delays and cancellations and delays, this is an insult to millions. Labour will reform our broken railways and finally put passengers first."

Regulated fares are overseen by the government following the privatisation of the rails.

This year saw the largest rise in more than a decade, with fares going up by nearly 6% in March.

Announcing the increase for 2024, Transport Secretary Mark Harper called it a "a significant intervention by the government to cap the increase in rail fares below last year's rise".

"Changed working patterns after the pandemic means that our railways are still losing money and require significant subsidies, so this rise strikes a balance to keep our railways running, while not overburdening passengers.

"We remain committed to supporting the rail sector reform outdated working practices to help put it on a sustainable financial footing."

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