Commuters and passengers who use the rail services in Kent face a 3.6% fare rise from today.

Southeastern has brought in the change today meaning the cost of a season tickets, anytime, off peak and super off peak day tickets will all be rising.

On the travel firm's website the carrier says its staff realise that nobody wants prices to rise but the extra money is need for upgrades on the network.

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The statement said: "We understand that no one likes to see prices go up, but we continue to invest in a better experience for our customers, including station improvements, customer facing staff and enhancements to train services.

"Revenue from ticket sales is vital to help pay for these improvements."

It adds: "Nearly 97p of every pound from train fares goes back into the rail industry for running and improving the network."

Last year we reported on the announcement of the annual increase.

But Lianna Etkind from the Campaign for Better Transport said: "Passengers in the south east already say they get the worst value for money anywhere in the country.

"And from today fares are going up by 3.6%, the highest rise in five years.

LISTEN: Lianna Etkind from the Campaign for Better Transport

"This is at a time when a lot of people are struggling with stagnant wages.

"I think it's wrong that the government has decided to raise fares again and this is at a time when motorists have been given a freeze in fuel duty every year for the last eight years.

"For some people it'll price them out of the railway.

"The number of season ticket journeys is falling and it's falling out of the reach for many, many people."