COMMUTERS in Gravesend and Dartford have labelled a train company’s proposed rail fare increase as “grossly unfair”.

On November 23, Southeastern confirmed ticket prices are to go up by an average of 7.8 per cent from January 2, although Gravesend and Dartford will be harder hit.

Seven day season tickets from Gravesend to London will see a 12.7 per cent rise while Dartford will increase by 8.4 per cent.

Southeastern’s high speed service into London will also see commuters scrambling in their pockets for extra cash.

Paul Perry of Hilltop Gardens, Temple Hill, uses the Gravesend service frequently to visit friends.

The 43-year-old, who is disabled, said: “I don’t get why they are increasing them.

“It’s grossly unfair- why here?

“The trains are already expensive enough, especially the high speed.”

Christel Wright of Penenden, New Ash Green, also disagrees with the rise.

The 79-year-old said: “It’s not fair- it’s far too high and too many people have to stand anyway.”

A spokesman for Southeastern says the rises are needed after the government reduced the tax-payer subsidy, leaving the bulk of the cost to commuters.

He said: “Nobody likes to see prices rise but it is the stated policy of the government to move more of the cost of travelling by train towards passengers and away from the general taxpayer.

“There are only two sources of funding for railway journeys: taxpayer subsidy and passengers’ fares.

“The amount of taxpayer subsidy we receive from the government reduces year-on-year and to offset this we need to raise the fares to make up the difference and to minimise the burden on taxpayers.”

MP for Gravesham Adam Holloway disagrees with the fare increase.

He said: “Southeastern will take the maximum train increase they can get away with, and the awful irony is if you’re a commuter trying to get into central London, there’s not much you can do.”

How will the rise in train prices affect you?

A seven day season ticket from Gravesend to London will increase from £61.90 to £69.80, leaving commuters having to find an extra £316 a year to account for the rise.

Dartford to London will see tickets go from £46.20 to £50.10, which equates to an extra £156 a year.

The high speed service from Gravesend and Dartford to London will also increase from £83.50 to £94.20, costing passengers an extra £428 for the year.