TRAIN passengers were warned yesterday that fare rises and service cuts are certain if Con-Dem plans to hand a third of English railways to French companies steam ahead. 

Campaigners rose early to take part in Action for Rail protests at stations across London and the south-east against the creation of a giant new private rail franchise. 

Tory Transport Secretary Patrick McLaughlin has already signed-off a contract for Govia — owned by privateer Go Ahead and French state-backed Keolis — to run Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern railways.