"At a time of national economic restraint, we should be seeking to further reduce the costs of the rail network to the fare-paying public and taxpayers rather than increasing them, " he said.

BBC: Stirling Middle

The government says it has already cut back the latest increase and is determined to reduce the cost of running railways, so it can end the era of above inflation fare rises - something I'm sure we would all welcome.

BBC: Commuters hit by rail fare increases

"In the longer term we are determined to reduce the cost of running the railways so that we can end the era of above-inflation fare rises, " he added.

BBC: Rail commuters hit by 4.2% average fare rise