BUYING train tickets was branded “confusing and frustrating” by a Rail regulator yesterday.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) questioned more than 1,600 passengers from all over the country on their experience of buying train tickets.

More than half of them said it was a “bit of a lottery” as to whether they found the best price for a rail journey or not while nearly three-quarters of those asked said they were not confident what “off-peak” times were.

ORR chairman Anna Walker said: “Our research shows that passengers are often confused and frustrated by the lack of information about rail tickets.

“If passengers do not have the information they need, they can end up paying more than is necessary or find themselves being penalised for having the wrong ticket.”

First Great Western, which runs the franchise connecting Oxfordshire to London, South Wales, the Cotswolds and the South West, declined to comment last night.

But Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: “By providing a broad range of fares, operators have attracted record numbers of passengers to the railways. Despite tough financial times, more and more people are choosing to go by train because they are able to find a good value ticket for their journey.

“A lot has been done to make things as straightforward as possible for passengers and we are committed to doing better.”