Rail passengers in Oxford are considering a ticket boycott in protest at fare increases which are more than double the rate of inflation.

The proposal is being discussed by the Ox Rail Action group, which is thinking about whether to join a boycott organised by a national pressure group.

It comes after First Great Western (FGW) increased the price of a standard day return from Oxford to London Paddington to £43.10, an increase of 9.67 per cent. Meanwhile an annual season ticket has gone up almost £200 from £3,712 to £3,892.

Last year More Trains Less Strain (MTLS) held a small-scale protest in the West Country, with passengers refusing to buy tickets and showing protest tickets reserving a "cattle class" seat on a "Worst Great Western" service "to hell and back".

First Great Western accepted the mock tickets in Bristol and Bath and destinations in order to avoid confrontation and Ox Rail Action has already signalled their support for a proposed repeat.

Zahra Akkerhuys, a spokesman for Ox Rail Action said: "We would consider taking part in the boycott.

"It is important that commuter groups across the country unite so we have got greater strength. Ox Rail Action believes these increases are an unfair and unjust price hike. We are at the end of our tether with it.

"Feelings are running really high on the trains. Last year was horrendous for commuters travelling on the train. We had hundreds of cancellations and awful overcrowding."

The fare increases come just two months after the First Group - owner of FGW - announced group revenues had risen three per cent over the last six months to £1.77bn, with operating profits on its rail business up 10 per cent to £48.2m.

However, a spokesman for FGW said the fare increases were necessary to help plug a £50m cut in central government funding for 2008 as well as helping to pay for a £200m investment in new engines and trains.

He said: "We have got to find some way of addressing this £50m shortfall. Last year was a one-off as far as we were concerned and MTLS made their point on that occasion.

"We will consider what our policy will be if and when the strike happens."

FGW estimate that the ticket price rises will bring in an extra £13m in revenue.

Ms Akkerhuys said: "It is adding insult to injury. You do not mind paying for a quality service but this is not. First Great Western say they are putting passengers first but actually they're putting profits first.

"Ox Rail Action will be in touch with MTLS about the protest tickets."

OX Rail Action is meeting at Waterman's Arms, in South Street, on Osney Island, on Tuesday, January 8, from 8pm