Regulated train fares on Transport for Wales will rise by an average of 4.6 per cent on 2 March, but some fares will increase by as much as 6 per cent.

The average increase will be the same as in England, but transport secretary Ken Skates has blamed the continued existence of regulated fares on privatisation.

Transport for Wales will be applying different increases to each category of regulated fare. Anytime Day Return fares and Off Peak Return fares will both increase by 6 per cent but Seven-Day Season tickets will increase by 3.5 per cent and Anytime Day Singles by 3 per cent.

Mr Skates pointed out that many passengers are using Pay-As-You-Go, and so regulated fares do not apply to their journeys.

He explained: ‘We understand that any increase in fares is unwelcome for passengers, but we have tried to keep the increase as low as possible. It is also important to recognise that the increasing majority of passengers no longer use these regulated products.

‘They are a vestige of the privatised railway, established to ensure that private operators could not drive huge increases in fares to maximise their profits at the expense of passengers outside the control of Governments. It is my hope that with the progress of rail reform, the return of railway services into the public sector that this will see the end of the need for regulated rail fares with public sector operators prioritising value for money for passengers.

‘This is already the case in Wales with Transport for Wales with the introduction of Pay As You Go ticketing.  Alongside this Transport for Wales are also offering airline style demand responsive Advance tickets. These are now available up to five minutes before departure and offer the best value for longer rail journeys.’