Train delays were "disappointing", the company said

There were improvements, but more choice and reliable, comfortable trains were essential, he told a rail passengers' conference in London.

Today's passengers were "more discerning and demanding", he said.

His comments come as a survey by YouGov for the Rail Passengers Council shows growing pessimism among users.

Referring to fare rises that on average are going up above the rate of inflation next month, Mr Darling said: "I know fare rises are controversial.

"But public investment in rail is doubling over four years.

Passengers are tired of waiting for trains that don't turn up, being crammed into dirty carriages and paying high fares for the privilege Liberal Democrat transport spokesman John Thurso

"And the money can only come from two sources - the farepayer and the taxpayer.

"We have to strike a balance between the two."

Some 30% of people questioned in the YouGov survey, which was released at the conference, thought services would deteriorate and 48% that they would stay the same.

And 79% believed the cost of their ticket would rise over the next year.

Only new, faster trains sparked optimism among the 2,301 polled, with 25% predicting improvement.

As many as 42% believed that getting a seat would prove more difficult in the next 12 months, while 38% believed service frequencies would decrease and 36% reckoned train punctuality would get worse.

The research found the area in which passengers were most satisfied was with information for planning their journey.

BIGGEST PASSENGER BUGBEARS Train non-punctuality Cost of tickets Dirty trains Problems getting a seat Station facilities Atmosphere

Fewer than 15% were satisfied with train punctuality and only around 12% were happy with service frequency.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman John Thurso said: "This poll simply reflects the reality and scale of the Labour government's failure to tackle the deep-seated problems in our railways.

"Passengers are tired of waiting for trains that don't turn up, being crammed into dirty carriages and paying high fares for the privilege.

"It is ridiculous for Alistair Darling to simply say the railway is another business when it is patently obvious the government must take the lead if we are to see any real improvements."

The research was undertaken between December 2-4 and of those surveyed 44% travelled on national main line rail services and 56% did not.

The results for non-rail users showed 70% perceived Britain's railways to be performing at a poor standard.

Ten per cent of non-users saw services as good but no-one reckoned them very good.