RAIL passengers across Oxfordshire are set to face the biggest fare hike in five years.

Average fares at Oxford and Didcot rail stations will rise by 3.58 per cent from January 2, 2018 while season tickets will go up by 3.6 per cent.

Currently an anytime day single between Oxford and London costs £31.50. As of next year this will increase to £32.60.

An annual season ticket to the capital which currently costs £4,920 will next year cost £5,096, an increase of £176.

The increase equates to 15.9 pence per mile; and 19 pence per mile between Didcot and London Paddington.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union described the fares announcement as 'another kick in the teeth' for passengers.

General secretary Mick Cash said: “For public sector workers and many others in our communities who have had their pay and benefits capped or frozen by this Government, these fare increases are another twist of the economic knife.

“The private train companies are laughing all the way to the bank.”

Defending the fare increase, meanwhile, Great Western Railway spokesperson James Davis said it would help pay for newer trains offering an improved service.

He said: “The money raised by Government through fares ensures investment in more trains, better stations and faster services. Since 2004 the Government has sought to sustain investment in the railways by reducing the amount that taxpayers contribute and requiring passengers to pay a greater share.

“This investment is already providing new trains on the Great Western; with electric trains operating in London and the Thames Valley and new Intercity Express Trains [IET] starting to deliver real benefits for passengers.

“The New Year will see important timetable changes take place, with GWR’s Electrostar trains extended to operate between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway; and even more IET trains coming into service on key routes, delivering more seats and in time more frequent and quicker journeys.”

Earlier this year electrification between Didcot and Oxford was deferred and moved into the next ‘control period’ [five-year financial period] currently running between 2019 and 2024.

Network Rail said ‘as far as it was concerned’ electrification during that period remained the plan despite no formal timetables yet revealed.

*Fare increases: January 2013 - 3.9% January 2014 - 2.8% January 2015 - 2.2% January 2016 - 1.1% January 2017 - 2.3% January 2018 - 3.4%

Chiltern Railway has been approached for comment and latest fare information.