BOLTON commuters have been left ‘seriously out of pocket’ after rail fares rise three times faster than wages.

Over the past three years fares have risen by 25 per cent, while average pay went up by just nine per cent, according to a report published by the TUC and Action for Rail.

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Bolton North East MP David Crausby, who has campaigned for better rail services in Bolton, said the price hike was an unacceptable burden on hard working commuters.

He said: "It’s an absolute scandal.

“If you want an example of privatisation that doesn’t work, it’s our railway service.

“It’s hard enough for people on lower wages in this country, it’s been difficult for a lot of years, but to burden people so they can’t afford to get to work is complete unacceptable.

“These people are people who are having a go. There is enough pressure from the Government on people who are on welfare. There people aren’t on welfare, they are trying their best for their families and the Government has a responsibility to support them.”

Mr Crausby called for a return of the service to the public sector in order to protect commuter’s interests.

Rail minister Claire Perry acknowledged that fares were putting a strain on family finances but, from today, a cap was being put on prices the Government could control.

The government has announced plans to cap annual increases in regulated rail fares at the Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation.

But the TUC argued that far bigger savings could be passed onto passengers if services were run by the public sector.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Rail fares have rocketed over the last five years leaving many commuters seriously out of pocket.

“Introducing an arbitrary cap on fares is simply passing the bill on to taxpayers.

“The government wants the public to subsidise train companies’ profits and bear the cost of the fares cap.”