A total of �80m has already been spent on 14 new trains

Saver First, Savers, SuperSavers and season tickets will not be affected.

The increase means a first class return ticket from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington will rise from �137 to �145.

And the standard class ticket will rise from �84 to �87.

'Less subsidy'

Keith Walton, of the Rail Passengers' Committee, said: "We are disappointed that business fares have gone up now by 6% for standard class, and 7.5% for first class, this year alone.

"That is more than twice the rate of inflation."

But managing director Chris Kinchin-Smith defended the price increase.

"Many of the fares are not going up at all," he said.

"This is a year when we are going to get �10m less subsidy from government.

"The economy is flat and we are ploughing money into investment and new services.

"Customers are already seeing the benefits of investment with extra staff on trains and stations and a new platform being built at Swindon," he added.

He noted that First Great Western has already spent �80m on 14 new trains which are all now in service.