TORY ministers must freeze rail fares to tempt commuters hit by the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades back onto trains, transport unions demanded today.

The calls followed the government’s confirmation that it would not raise ticket prices in England above this July’s 9 per cent retail prices index rate of inflation when the next increase is due in March 2024.

Although means that next year’s rise is likely to be below inflation, ministers failed to guarantee this and their commitment will not cut the cost of already high fares, merely put a slight brake on their rate of increase.