RAIL commuters face the prospect of a hike of at least 5.8pc in the price of some rail fares in the new year.The increase is being predicted following the announcement of July's retail price index (RPI) inflation figure, but it could be even more if, as some fear, the government scraps the current annual price-rise formula.

RAIL commuters face the prospect of a hike of at least 5.8pc in the price of some rail fares in the new year.

The increase is being predicted following the announcement of July's retail price index (RPI) inflation figure, but it could be even more if, as some fear, the government scraps the current annual price-rise formula.

This week, train operators were being urged to give passengers a break during the tough economic times by showing restraint when setting fares for January.

Under the existing formula, train companies are allowed to raise regulated fares annually, which include season tickets, by 1pc above the previous July's RPI figure.

National Express East Anglia, which operates services across the east and between Norwich and London Liverpool Street, said: “Decisions on the level of increase that may apply to ticket prices from January 2011 will be decided later in the year.”

A spokesman for East Midlands Trains, which runs services between Norwich and Liverpool, said: “At the moment it's too early and we're not in a position to confirm what the fares will be from 2011. But we are committed to continuing to offer value for money for our customers.”