HARLOW COMMUTERS face a 4.1 per cent increase in their rail fares next year.

The retail price index (RPI) inflation decreased to 3.1 per cent in July. Down from 3.3 per cent in June.

This means that Harlow commuters must expect a sharp rise in ticket prices from January 2014 because regulated fares are pegged to this index.

Train companies raise average regulated fares such as season tickets by one percentage point on top of July’s RPI inflation figure.

This year passengers were hit with a 4.2 per cent average rise in regulated fares – although this was lower than initial plans for a 6.2 per cent fares surge.

The Government retreated from plans to allow fares this year to rise by 3 per cent on top of RPI in the face of vocal opposition from passengers.