NEW Year rail fare rises will hit the Wharfedale Line’s leisure travellers the hardest, a passenger group has revealed.

Train operator Northern plans to raise its fares on January 2, with the biggest local rise expected to hit off-peak travellers buying return tickets between Ilkley and Leeds.

Wharfedale Rail Users’ Group researched the price rises after spotting notices advising commuters of the impending changes to fares.

Peak-time fares will see small increases, says WRUG – rises in these fares are regulated nationally. However, off-peak fares will be subject to higher rises.

An off-peak adult return between Ilkley and Leeds will cost £4 in future, a rise of 50p, says WRUG. Peak return fares for the same journey are going up from £6.35 to £6.45.

WRUG asked why Northern was increasing daytime fares by a higher percentage than peak-time morning commuter fares, when the company aims to attract leisure passengers.

Secretary Peter Johnson said: “We are surprised at the apparent big rises in the off-peak fare, given the desire of Northern to carry more leisure business, and the fact that we’re still in recession.”

A spokesman for Northern said: “Overall, Northern’s unreglated fares will rise by 0.35 per cent in January. We continue to provide value for money for passengers. Our average fare is less than £2.20 and travelling with Northern is very often cheaper and quicker than the car and the bus for similar journeys.

“With over nine out of ten trains arriving on time and our drive to improve customer facilities at stations and on trains we continue to attract passengers with over 85 million journeys made on our services last year.”

The prices of Metrocard season tickets, however, will not go up in January. West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Metro, confirmed that the decision was recently taken to keep the current prices of the Metrocard passes.