Train passengers are being landed with higher fares despite Labour pledges to keep travel costs down. Sir Keir Starmer’s Government is under fire for so-called ticket “simplification” pushing up prices.

Government-owned operator LNER admits people will “sometimes” pay more under its “simpler fares” structure when “customer driven demand pushes prices”.

The Conservatives said the prospect of higher prices at times when more people want to travel has “blown apart” promises to make train travel cheaper. They claim “some passengers are now paying more than 40% more for comparable journeys than they did just 18 months ago”.

The Tories accuse ministers of failing to “assess whether stripping away cheaper fare options could make fare evasion worse”. Last month the Government admitted the “Rail Delivery Group (RDG) has estimated annual revenue lost to fraud and ticketless travel is at least £350-£400million.”

The Conservatives warn Labour is “redesigning the fare system blind, without testing whether squeezing out cheaper tickets risks pushing more passengers towards non-payment”.

Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden said: “Labour promised to freeze rail fares, yet passengers have already seen rises of more than 40%. Now, as Labour expand rail ticket ‘simplification’, their own operators admit it will make fares more expensive. It’s time the Government started being honest about what they’re actually doing rather than hiding behind vague promises of unfunded jam tomorrow.”

Shadow transport minister Jerome Mayhew added: “Labour admit they do not have the evidence to show these changes work, despite mounting proof that simplification is pushing prices up, they are pressing ahead regardless. This is what happens when ideology comes before delivery. Labour nationalised the risk, ditched the safeguards, and left commuters footing the bill.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We are freezing fares for the first time in 30 years – with some commuters saving over £300 on their journeys. Under the previous Government, fares rose by 60% – hitting hardworking families and commuters.

“The fares simplification in question began under the previous Government. It is intended to put an end to the baffling array of tickets available from different train companies at the moment, and give passengers certainty that they are getting the best deal.

“Great British Railways will go further still by introducing a new one-stop-shop ticketing app, which will make it easier than ever for passengers to buy tickets – without booking fees.”

The Government announced last year its freeze would mean passengers would not pay “a penny more on season tickets, peak returns for commuters and off-peak returns between major cities”.