New rail fares come into force on Thursday.

First Capital Connect (FCC) said it had limited the overall annual increase to 2.9 per cent – compared to the 3.1 per cent rise in regulated fares, including season tickets, announced by the Government.

FCC added it had frozen its weekend and bank holiday tickets for the third year running and kept increases at its station car parks to around the rate of inflation, reducing some and freezing others.

At St Neots, fees will remain at £7.70 per day while Huntingdon fees will rise 10p to £5.60.

Managing director David Statham said: “We’re determined to give our passengers better value for money so all our fares – regulated and unregulated – will increase on average by only 2.9 per cent and in no case by more than 3.1 per cent – the rate of inflation used in the Government’s fares calculations.

“Coupled with our decision to freeze our super off-peak weekend and bank holiday tickets, we’re making sure we’re doing all we can to give our passengers more for their money.”

He added: “There is a real issue with problem parking in residential streets in St Neots and we want to help by reducing in real terms the cost of parking at our station.”