by Laura Hartmann

Kent's student union has condemned a 50 per cent hike in railcard fares.

Higher fares could put huge pressures on youngsters already suffering due to the credit crunch, according to Caz Brooker, student activities officer for Kent Union, which represents the University of Kent's students.

From Sunday, Student Railcard holders will have to fork out £12 for the minimum fare, instead of the previous £8. And people over 60 with a Senior Railcard will face the same increase.

Caz Brooker said: "Quite a lot of students commute by train because they live at home, or they have to take a train to get to their part-time jobs."

The cost of living in Kent was already high, with "students basically paying London prices", so the higher fares would just add to the burden, she said.

It is the third time rail prices have increased this year. In January, all fares rose by six per cent - and some off-peak fares jumped by up to 11 per cent earlier this month.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of Passenger Focus, said: "Passengers will be disappointed they are being hit with yet another price rise on the train, when they are struggling with everybody else in the current economic climate.

"We are seeing other industries showing restraint and reducing costs and it is a shame train companies can't follow suit."

Standard Network Railcards users will see a 30 per cent rise in the minimum fare, from £10 to £13, with the price for the card rising from £20 to £25.

Transport Salaried Staffs' Association leader Gerry Doherty called the increase "outrageous" and "daylight robbery".

"Even by the low, money-grabbing standards usually employed by the private rail companies, this is the third price hike in just five months," he added.