COMMUTERS will have to shell out more to get to work on the train from next month.

Train fares across the country are set to rise by an average of 3.1 per cent.

c2c Rail, which runs services between Southend and London, will be increasing its fares by 2.6 per cent from January 2.

Those travelling to and from Southend to London will be paying £18.30 for an off-peak return, with Basildon commuters paying £13.90.

Those buying annual season passes will be shelling out £3,640 from Southend Central to London, and £3,804 if travelling from Shoebury.

Greater Anglia’s fares will rise by 3.1 per cent.

Commuters have blasted the increase, saying more and more of their earnings are going into just getting to and from their place of work.

Clemma Tagg, of Shoebury, said: “A lot of commuters’ wages do not increase year on year. We just get poorer and poorer every single year as we have to pay out more and more just to get to work.”

Vivien Clark, of Southend, said: “Between house prices and rents and commuter costs it will soon prove more viable to simply not work.”

A c2c Rail spokesman said: “The extra money from fares is used to invest in improvements on c2c and other UK rail lines. For instance, at c2c we are spending millions of pounds on new trains and refurbished stations.

“We also operate London’s most punctual commuter service and offer the country’s best compensation for delays. We are also now paying more than a million pounds a week more back to the government than compared with five years ago.

“This helps to fund Network Rail and other investment in the UK rail network. This investment supports economic growth locally in south Essex and east London, and across the country.

“We have created a new fare guide on our website.”

To see the new fares, visit www.c2c-online.co.uk.