The Government has been urged to protect beleaguered commuters on Southern trains after next year's hike in regulated fares was confirmed as 1.9 per cent. 

The increase, linked to July's Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation, was announced by the Office for National Statistics today.

Rail minister Paul Maynard said passengers "want more reliable journeys in comfort and with better facilities".

Two Tory MPs were among those who claimed it would be wrong to raise fares for commuters using embattled operator Southern, whose trains have been beset by delays, cancellations and industrial action for months.

Reigate MP Crispin Blunt said: "The Government has got to treat people fairly.

"An across the board regulated rise with no exceptions to Southern is unconscionable."

Nick Herbert, MP for Arundel and South Downs, commented: " Any fare increase at all in the current circumstances, even at just the rate of inflation, will add insult to injury.

"If anything passengers feel they should be getting money back as proper compensation for the daily travel misery they've had to endure."

Many Southern services have been delayed or cancelled for months because of a dispute over changes to the role of conductors and staff shortages - blamed by the company on high levels of employee sickness.

Around half of rail fares are regulated, including season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance trips and Anytime tickets around major cities.

A 1.9 per cent rise would add more than £78 to the cost of a Brighton to London Victoria season ticket.

Unregulated fares, such as off-peak leisure tickets, will be increased by whatever amount the train companies decide.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has frozen Transport for London (TfL) fares for single journeys, called on the Government to halt any increase in ticket prices on suburban rail routes and speed up the transfer of the services to TfL.

He said: "This further hike in fares at a time when many commuters are facing a disgraceful service is yet another kick in the teeth."

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said the increase in ticket prices would be "particularly galling" for commuters using Southern Railway, who are " paying growing amounts for a deteriorating service".

Transport Focus, Railfuture and the Campaign for Better Transport all called on ministers to use the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure of inflation for setting fares, rather than RPI.

CPI, which was 0.6 per cent in July, is used for calculating pensions and most benefits.

Alex Neill, director of policy and campaigns at consumer group Which?, commented: " It's little wonder that trust in train companies is falling when passengers face cancellations, delays and disruption yet see fares continue to rise."

Research by the TUC and the Action For Rail union campaign showed that fares have risen by double the speed of wages since 2010.

The analysis revealed that fares have increased by 25 per cent in the last six years, while average weekly earnings have grown by 12 per cent.

A series of protests were held at railway stations across the country by trade unions on Tuesday morning.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held a placard which read "2017 rip off central" at a demonstration outside London Bridge station.

Asked how much it would cost to implement his policy of renationalising the railways, he replied: "The cost would be not very much because we would be taking over the franchises as they ran out and handing them over to direct rail to run as train companies."

As fares for passengers rise, dividends paid to shareholders of private train companies have risen by 21 per cent in the last year to £222 million, according to the unions.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: " It's time for rail services to be publicly owned, saving money for passengers and taxpayers alike.

"Instead of increasing fares and cutting staff, we should be building an accessible, reliable train service that Britain can be proud of."

But Mr Maynard insisted that "wages are growing faster than train ticket prices".

He went on: " Passengers want more reliable journeys in comfort and with better facilities. That is why we are investing record amounts in our railways, delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century, providing more seats, more services, wi-fi and air conditioning."

Paul Plummer, chief executive at the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators and Network Rail, said: "I ncreases to season tickets are set by Government. For every pound paid in fares, 97p goes back into running and improving services and it's our job to make sure that money is spent well."