RAIL users who are beginning to feel the bite of increased train fares on the borough’s networks have described the changes as “disgusting.”

The move has seen off-peak tickets scrapped between 4pm and 6.30pm as well as a cheap evening ticket, which aimed to boost town-centre nightlife, being discontinued.

The changes have been slammed by commuter groups who have said the result could mean more people choose to travel by road instead of rail.

Train provider Northern Rail says it has brought in the fare rises after the government asked it to make changes to save taxpayers’ money.

The new peak time runs from 16:01 to 18:29 Monday to Friday and affects all journeys within Greater Manchester — as well as routes to Alderley Edge, Buxton, Burscough bridge, New Mills Central and Warrington.

One train user who will be badly affected by the rises is Bromley Cross resident Derek Bailey. Mr Bailey, aged 61 of Ramwells Brow, volunteers at Manchester Cathedral in central Manchester and said the price of his journey from Bromley Cross has increased by 83 per cent.

He said: “I volunteer on Monday afternoons between 1 and 4pm therefore catch the 11:28am train from Bromley Cross to Manchester Victoria and I then catch the 16:03pm train back home.

“This journey used to cost £4.20 but following these changes it will now cost me a staggering £7.70. So because my return train departs three minutes after 4pm I will have to pay £3.50 more — its daylight robbery.”

“This will put people off doing things such as volunteering.”

The decision has also been criticised by Bolton North East MP David Crausby, who said: “To have this change now will be absolutely devastating to some.

“I’ve heard from people who are worried about being stranded in town centres around the region waiting for peak time to end so they can afford to go home, and others have told me they simply won’t use the train any more.

“The Government are talking about this as some sort of victory in the fight against overcrowding, but forcing people off the trains is simply disgraceful.”

Richard Allan, commercial director for Northern Rail, said: “The majority of customers who travel at peak times will be unaffected by these changes.

“We have consulted extensively with local stakeholders and with Passenger Focus on the detail of this change, which is part of our new franchise agreement that was announced in March.”

A Department of Transport spokesman said: “These changes will help us achieve our long-term economic plan of building a rail network that provides the best possible value for money for the taxpayer.

“They may also help reduce crowding on evening services.”