 South West Trains runs services into London Waterloo |
A rise in rail fares for passengers who travel into London after the morning rush-hour has been criticised by a rail passenger group as unjustified. Passengers travelling towards the city on South West Trains (SWT) in the late morning face an increase of up to 20% from 20 May.
Antony Smith of Passenger Focus said the "unexplained and unfair price hike is exploiting a monopoly market".
SWT said the move would bring it into line with a other rail companies.
The increase will mainly affect those arriving in London between 1000 and noon on weekdays.
 |  They have been introduced without consultation and are a blow to passengers who value an affordable walk-on fare |
A new "super off-peak" fare, 3% dearer than the current off-peak price, will apply to those travelling after noon.
Mr Smith of Passenger Focus said: "These large increases are unjustified.
"They have the effect of extending the peak throughout the whole of the morning, and because of that, must have as much to do with making money as they do in seeking to ease crowding pressures on true peak-hour trains.
"They have been introduced without consultation and are a blow to passengers who value an affordable walk-on fare."
But Bruce Akhurst of SWT said the increase would enable them to "better match demand and pricing".
He said: "People who decide to travel outside of the peak can still make really good savings."
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