Will trains improve in line with price?

It is not going to be a particularly happy new year for train passengers. The largest fares hike in five years will hit next month, with average ticket prices due to increase by 3.4%.

Sadly, it does not come at a time of rising wages and general economic success — far from it.

Passenger watchdog Transport Focus was quick to criticise the rise, suggesting that “basic promises” made by the rail industry are too often broken.

Meanwhile, the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas described the announcement as a “body blow” for already hard-pressed commuters.

Many observers used the hike as evidence of a need to bring the railways back into public ownership.

It is a concept which is certainly gaining a good deal of support, with the Labour party saying such price hikes are the inevitable conclusion of running train companies “for profit rather than people”.

While privatisation is unlikely to be reversed any time soon, it has certainly sparked vigorous debate.

It is to be hoped the outcry is enough to keep the big rail firms on their toes.

After all, with an increased price comes increased expectation and levels of service in many areas will need to improve.

This is a price hike many commuters can ill afford and they have every right to demand value for money.