AN MP is demanding commuters see "some real improvements" to train services to justify the latest hike in rail fares.

Priti Patel, MP for Witham, says she is concerned about the latest increase with some commuters set fork out an extra £180 for a season ticket.

She said: "These rail fare increases will be felt in the pockets of commuters next year.

"With so many services being delayed and cancelled and engineering works closing lines over weekends, commuters deserve far better value for money.

"It is about time we starting seeing some real improvements for the high fares paid.

"Although considerable new investment is planned with new trains being rolled out next year, these fare rises will still leave commuters with a bitter taste and we expect Network Rail and Greater Anglia to do far better."

Witham commuters with a travelcard will see the cost of getting to London rise by £176 while those travelling from Kelvedon will see a £180 increase.

The price change will come into effect from January.

Paul Plummer, chief executive of industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said: "Nobody wants to pay more to travel, especially those who experienced significant disruption earlier this year.

"Money from fares is underpinning the improvements to the railway that passengers want and which ultimately help boost the wider economy.

"That means more seats, extra services and better connections right across the country."

There have been some calls for prices to be frozen following chaos caused by the implementation of new timetables in May.

Meanwhile, just 45 per cent of passengers are satisfied with the value for money of train tickets, according to a survey by watchdog Transport Focus.

The organisation's chief executive, Anthony Smith, said: "Many passengers, still reeling from summer timetable chaos and frustrated by 'autumn' disruption, won't believe fares are going up again.

"Until day-to-day reliability returns - with fewer significant delays and cancellations - passenger trust won't begin to recover."

Train punctuality slipped to a 12-year low in the summer and 14 per cent of services failed to meet the industry's punctuality target in the 12 months to November 10.

That means one in seven trains arrived at terminating stations more than five minutes late for commuter services or 10 minutes late for long-distance journeys.