KEIGHLEY district rail passengers face a “triple whammy” of spiralling fares, it is claimed.

John Grogan, who will contest the Keighley constituency for Labour at the next general election, said ticket prices on the Airedale line are due to soar by 3.5 per cent in January.

But he warned more increases will follow for many travellers.

He says from the New Year, a season ticket for travelling between Steeton and Silsden to Leeds will cost £1,271 a year – up £43 – and £1,196 from Keighley to Leeds, a rise of £40.

“Official figures show that Retail Price Index inflation rose by 2.5 per cent in July,” said Mr Grogan.

“Regulated rail fares – including season tickets – are allowed to rise by that plus one per cent.

“Next year’s price hikes will mean rail fares have increased by 24.9 per cent during the current parliament, and have risen faster than wages every year.”

He added train operator Northern Rail is changing its definition of peak-time travel, which he claims will dramatically increase costs for commuters who have previously delayed their journey to work until after 9.30am.

And he warns fares could soar again when a new rail franchise on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines is introduced in 2016, after a Department of Transport consultation document showed tickets in the Leeds area were cheaper than the national average and much lower than in the south east.

“The agenda here is a clear one – preparing the ground for yet more big rises in rail fares for commuters in West Yorkshire,” he said.

Northern Rail would not comment on potential fare increases.

Meanwhile, rail passenger groups have reacted angrily to Government plans to drop a pledge to drop ageing rolling stock condemned as “cattle trucks”.

The 30-year-old vehicles were due to be scrapped as part of a new contract on West Yorkshire routes in 2016. But now the Department of Transport has admitted they may be modernised instead and kept running for another decade.