RAIL travellers in East Anglia are set to escape hefty increases in fares being introduced in many parts of the country with effect from tomorrow.

RAIL travellers in East Anglia are set to escape hefty increases in fares being introduced in many parts of the country with effect from tomorrow.

Many passengers will actually find their fares going down by 0.4%, as the annual rise for regulated fares - which include season tickets - is linked to the rate of Retail Prices Index inflation.

Increases in unregulated fares are planned by many operators, including Southeastern (up to 7.3%), Southern (up to 4%), London Midland (3% on average), Virgins Trains (2.8% on average) and First Greater Western (2.47% on average).

But unregulated fares will remain frozen at National Express East Anglia, which operates most services in the East of England, and at its sister company, south Essex commuter route c2c.

The Association of Train Operating Companies said that the overall increase in average fares - heavily influenced by the 0.4% regulated fares decline - would be just 1.1%.

However, travellers to London will find Tube fares rising by average of 3.9% while average bus fares in the capital are set to jump by 12.7%.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said: “After punishing year-after-year price rises, passengers can finally look forward to small savings on their season tickets this new year.”