A HIKE in rail fares has been described as a ‘slap in the face’ for disgruntled passengers.

Rail users will be hit by the largest fares rise in five years next month.

Average ticket prices across Britain will go up by 3.4 per cent on January 2, industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said.

It is the sharpest rise since 2013 and comes amid months of frustration for Bolton commuters enduring daily delays, cancellations, and overcrowding.

Bolton North East MP Sir David Crausby said: “When people are being let down so badly by the service it is a slap in the face to be told that fares will increase again by an average of 3.4 per cent in the new year.

“I’ve heard from a local resident who had to stand in a train toilet with strangers for half an hour to get to work. How can they be expected to pay more money for that?

“The Government is failing to invest in our railways and then asking passengers to pay more for a shoddy, unreliable service. I want more people to feel the benefit of a modern, efficient train service. It is not right to ask people to pay more without delivering a reliable day-to-day local service.”