More rail commuters say they are getting value for money

The number of rail passengers who believe they get value for money has increased by eight points to a record 48 per cent following the January fares freeze.

Passenger Focus, the independent watchdog that published the annual survey of 31,000 rail users, said low inflation had resulted in many fares coming down.

Commuters are now waiting for next month's inflation figures — on which the January price changes are based — to find out how much they will have to pay next year.

Five out of six passengers taking part in the survey said they were "satisfied" with their last rail journey. Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said: "As more trains arrive on time Britain's rail passengers are becoming more satisfied. Last year's inflation figure halted the normal New Year season price hike, which improved value-for-money scores."

But there is wide variation among train companies. Virgin came top of the long distance operators with an average 90 per cent satisfaction level among customers.

Southeastern, London's busiest commuter operator, recorded its best ever overall score of 95 per cent. But on its Metro routes the figure was only 78 per cent.

First Capital Connect's Thameslink South services between London Bridge and Brighton came bottom, with only 66 per cent of customers satisfied.