TRAIN passengers travelling on long-distance services from Oxford could be charged up to 20 per cent more when First Great Western changes its ticket range next month.

Off-peak return tickets to the West of England will be affected when the new prices start on Sunday, September 6.

Passenger groups last night said they were “worried” by the changes, which they claim could confuse passengers.

Car parking fees at stations will also rise by up to 25 per cent and the price of tickets bought in advance will increase by 11 per cent.

For example, a return ticket between Oxford and Exeter St David’s will rise from £64 to £78 under the new system.

FGW is replacing its current off-peak ticket with its new upper off-peak fare, which will cost the same, but be subject to much tighter time restrictions.

Prices for standard off-peak tickets, will then rise by 20 per cent.

Zahra Akkerhuys, of commuter group OxRail Action, said: “It seems very confusing for people who are looking to find the best value tickets – they will really have to study the small print.”

Chris Bates, of the Cherwell Rail Users Group and a member of FGW’s independent customer panel, said: “The changes are absolutely ridiculous. The simplification of fares has become a complete misnomer – they’re as complicated now as they ever have been. FGW is definitely making it harder for people to find the better value fares.”

FGW spokesman Dan Panes said: “We have got two motives behind these price rises.

“The first is to generate more revenue, we do need to make money. The second part is that we need to manage the capacity of our network.”