THE Prime Minister has been asked to get involved after passengers hit out at a rise in ticket prices between Charlbury and London.

Currently commuters can buy an off-peak ticket to the capital for £33.30, leaving after the first four trains of the day and returning during the evening peak time.

But after May 17 they will need to buy a £62.40 fare to have the flexibility if they want to return on the trains between 5.22pm and 6.22pm, or wait to travel later with a cheaper fare.

First Great Western said it would be offering cheaper Advance Purchase Continued on Page 5 tickets, currently available on the line, reducing the cost of the cheapest single fare from £27 to £10.

Town Councillor Richard Fairhurst, who travels on the trains, said the changes will affect those who commute from Charlbury between one and three days a week.

He added: “Although FGW is saying it is bringing the service from Charlbury to London in line with every other service, it will affect us more because trains are not as frequent here as they are, for example in Swindon.

“The changes will reduce the cost to some people and the Advance Purchase tickets are great for leisure passengers, but it’s not good for part-time and flexible workers.

“I go in for meetings a couple of times a month, currently I pay about £30 for a return, from May 17 I will have to pay more or hang around in London Paddington for a cheaper train.”

FGW spokesman James Davis said the changes were bringing the North Cotswold rail “in line” with all other routes.

Chairman of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group John Ellis said: “We are concerned about the uncertainty of how many Advance Purchase tickets will be available on the peak evening trains. We want more answers from FGW on the availability.”

A spokesman for David Cameron’s office said yesterday (27/4): “Mr Cameron has been contacted by local residents who are very concerned at the huge rises in fares for some commuters.”

Mr Cameron has written to FGW and asked them urgently to review their decision.