Adrian Parkes said the increase in fares did not reflect the experiences of GTMC members frequently travelling the length and breadth of the UK.

Fares will increase 3.2% next January - below the 3.6% hike this January, but still outstripping inflation and average wage rises.

Transport secretary Chris Grayling tried to diffuse the inevitable backlash by suggesting rail fare increases could be linked to a different, lower measure of inflation.

Ticket prices are currently capped to the RPI measure of inflation, which isn’t commonly used and is higher than CPI which doesn’t include the cost of housing (such as mortgages or council tax).

This means rail fares typically increase a faster rate year-on-year than average earnings.

Grayling’s comments though enraged rail union bosses after he inserted a caveat to the effect that if rail fares were to be linked to CPI rather than RPI, levels of rail staff pay must be too.

GTMC chief executive Parkes said: “The GTMC is disappointed to see the announcement of such high increases to the price of regulated rail fares. This increase of 3.2%, above the level of inflation, is at odds with the traveller satisfaction levels given the recent period of poor service from some of the rail operators.

“While some providers offer a great service, the widely reported strikes, timetable changes and delays that have impacted commuters and business travellers of late means that this fare increase does not reflect user experiences of the service and do not penalise the failing rail operators for delivering an ongoing sub-standard service.”