Reading's commuters will be pushed into the £5,000-a-year season ticket price bracket following today's announcement of train fare rises to take effect next month.

The rise for regulated fares will be up by 2.5 per cent meaning those commuting from the borough to London Paddington will be forced to pay an extra £120 annually pushing the 12 month season ticket price up to £4,980.

Although the January 2015 rise for nationwide rail fares has been limited to no more than 2.5 per cent, unregulated fares, such as off-peak leisure tickets, can go up by as much as the train companies like.

Martin Cheshire, 45, of Amnity Road, said the service provided does not match the prices.

He said: “It makes me livid. I pay a huge amount to be able to support my family and we struggle to make ends meet as it is.

“When is the madness going to end? It seems as though the working and middle classes are being pushed out of the carriages.”

Despite rail industry body the Rail Delivery Group insisting the rise will be the lowest average rise for five years, many season ticket holders will find the fare increase will be greater than their annual pay rise.

Rail Delivery Group director general Michael Roberts said: "Money from fares goes towards running and maintaining the railway. This benefits not just passengers and businesses but communities across the country, by improving journeys, creating employment and helping to boost the economy.

"Over the next five years, Network Rail is spending on average £27 million a day on a better railway, alongside commitments made by train companies to improve services. That will mean more seats, better stations and improved journeys."

He added: "For every £1 spent on fares, 97p goes on track, train, staff and other costs while 3p goes in profits earned by train companies for running services on Europe's fastest growing railway.”

Leader of the TSSA rail union Manuel Cortes said: "It is time to stop this annual persecution of passengers with year-on-year hikes in fares. We have seen fares jump by as much as 245 per cent on key routes since privatisation 20 years ago.”