TRAIN bosses have been accused of “spinning” price increases after claiming fares will remain largely the same – while also admitting one Swindon fare is rising by 15 per cent.

The Association of Train Operators yesterday released a statement claiming customers would see the “lowest fare rise since privatisation” with an average rise of 1.1 per cent in January.

However, enquiries by the Adver found that Swindon passengers will see a supersaver single from London to Swindon rise from £20 to £23.

Despite the rise, First Great Western has claimed that all others fares, except one, will remain unchanged.

A company spokesman said: “Off-peak return and standard fares are remaining the same; only the first class fare is rising £1 – from £178 to £179.

“Customers are only seeing a 15 per cent rise on the London supersaver because it was lowered in September to increase people using quieter services.

“That decrease had unsuccessful results so we have brought it back to this level.

“The vast majority of our customers to and from Swindon will see their prices decrease or remain the same.

“We hope this will increase the use of our services and rail passengers in general.”

Yesterday passenger groups and unions condemned Atoc, which normally gives separate figures for regulated and unregulated increases.

A weekly, monthly and annual season ticket is regulated. Unregulated tickets usually consist of walk on off-peak fares, including advance fares and anytime tickets.

The association refused to say what the average unregulated fare increase would be, including Swindon’s 15 per cent rise, and lumped the two figures together to make the 1.1 per cent rise.

Overall unregulated fares on services run by FGW will be rising by an average of almost three per cent, with some individual tickets going up by nearly four per cent.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the pressure group Passenger Focus, said: “After years of punishing, above inflation fare rises some, passengers will see a little light in the New Year.

“The formula that sets the limits of regulated fares will finally work in passengers’ favour.

“However, there is a sting in the tail.

“Many unregulated fares will continue to soar above inflation as the average figures published today will mask steep rises on individual routes.

“We call upon the industry to be clear about which fares are going up and to publish average increases for unregulated fares for each train operating company.

“We are also concerned that some train operators will tinker with off peak tickets restrictions, forcing passengers into buying more expensive tickets.”

January’s rise comes after the company raised an off-peak return from Swindon to London from £40 to £48 – a rise of 20 per – cent in September.