Rail operator applies brake to fare rises

AT last some good news for rail passengers - an operator serving London will not be increasing fares next month.

Tom Clift, managing director of Grand Central, which operates three daily return services between King's Cross and Sunderland, said: "We will not be joining the rest of the rail industry by increasing fares in January.

"Passengers have suffered enough."

The fares freeze will last at least six months.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of watchdog Passenger Focus, said: "Freezing fares in this way will allow Grand Central both to keep existing customers happy and attract more."

At the start of next month every other train operator nationwide will increase rush-hour fares by six or eight per cent and off-peak by up to 11 per cent.