FARNHAM rail users are suffering inflation-busting fare hikes to travel on one of the most overcrowded train services in the country, it has been revealed.

Fares across the South West Trains network rose yet again on January 2, with the price of an annual season ticket from Farnham to London going up £144 to £3,576 - a 4.2 per cent increase.

Although less severe than feared - a 6.2 per cent rise was rumoured in August - the hike far exceeds the current Consumer Price Index inflation rate of 2.7 per cent, meaning Farnham season ticket holders are being squeezed by a 1.5 per cent above inflation increase.

Adding insult to injury, the 7.26am Farnham to Waterloo service was named as the ninth most overcrowded train in the UK this week by the Department for Transport.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.