A RAIL champion from Huddersfield has urged transport bosses to invest in better services.

Peter Marshall made his plea as passengers were left reeling by above-inflation train fare rises across the UK.

Mr Marshall, who heads the Huddersfield, Penistone and Sheffield Rail Users' Association, said the money had to be ploughed back into services.

But he said there were fears that the rail companies would simply use the extra cash to help budgets and cut more costs.

Millions of people who have just returned to work have had to fork out for above-inflation rail fare increases.

On main line services fares regulated by the Government, which include season tickets, went up by an average of 4.3%. Some unregulated fares have gone up by more than 7%.

Average increases in unregulated fares are 6.6% on Virgin West Coast, 5.9% on Midland Mainline and 5.7% on Central Trains.

Lowest average increases are on Merseyrail (3.2%).

The minimum single fare on the London Underground for a customer paying cash is now £4.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog body Passenger Focus, said: "Passengers renewing their season tickets and others buying tickets for the day are going to be very disappointed to find their fares have gone up by above the rate of inflation.

"While passengers are aware of the need for investment in the railways, they are already contributing £4.5bn a year to the 'fare box'.

"More trains are now arriving on time, which is good, but they are getting more crowded."

Mr Marshall said passengers in West Yorkshire would not be hit as badly as other areas when using local services.

But long-distance fares had gone up and would hit travellers.

"The Metro fares in West Yorkshire are among some of the cheapest in the country.

"It means that someone over 60, for example, can travel from Denby Dale to Ilkley for just 35p.

"It is ridiculously cheap and more people should be encouraged to use the trains.

"But our fear is that the extra money generated by the new fares will not be used to help services run more efficiently.

"We have got to see the money invested in better trains, better tracks and improved punctuality.

"I don't get the feeling that is what is going to happen," added Mr Marshall.