Train fares in Kent will go up by 6% next year, it's been confirmed.

Ticket prices had been expected to rise by around 8% next year.

But in its autumn statement last month, the government said fare hikes would be capped at 6% – the retail price index (RPI) plus 1%.

The cap applies to regulated fares, including season tickets.

Rail companies, including Southeastern, had already set millions of fares and have had to rethink their prices.

From today, Southeastern's ticket offices, self service machines and website will have the correct fares for 2012.

Passengers travelling between Ramsgate and London currently pay £4,376 for a 12-month season ticket.

A 6% increase would see this rise by £263 to £4,639.

A 12-month season ticket valid for use on high speed services would increase from £5,240 to £5,511 – a jump of £271.

The increases will come into effect on January 2.

Charles Horton, managing director, Southeastern said: "Nobody likes to see prices rise but there are only two sources of funding for the railways, the general taxpayer and the fare payer.

"Over the last few years successive governments have moved more of the cost of running the railways away from the taxpayer and more towards the people who use rail services.

"The amount of taxpayer subsidy we receive from the Government reduces year-on-year and the RPI +1% fare increase formula helps to offset this."

Some parking fees will also rise, the firm said.

On January 11 a "small number" of charges will rise by a maximum of 50p a day, while others will fall by up to £1 a day.