Rail fare rises 'pay for better services', says Atoc

Train fares will rise by an average of 5.9% in January 2012, the Association of Train Operating Companies has said.

In his Autumn Statement last month, Chancellor George Osborne capped fare increases at 6%, instead of the expected 8%.

Fare rises are linked to inflation, which is currently 5.2% as measured by the Retail Prices Index.

Atoc's Michael Roberts said the fare increase would be used to pay for "new trains, faster services and better stations".