Train Fares up by 5.9% in Jan

Train fares are due to rise by an average of 5.9% in January, higher than the current 4.8% rate of inflation, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has said. This rise could have been as high as 8% but George Osborne stepped in and reduced this rise by 2%, no doubt with more than a passing thought to the inflation rate target of 2%.

The long suffering commuter faces a very early rise in costs in 2012, that will pay for "new trains, faster services and better stations", according to Michael Roberts head of ATOC.

Something to think about if you find your train cancelled while you wait for a nice shiny one that will in due course flash through spotless stations.