by Jess Banham

The Shadow Transport Secretary has thrown her weight behind hard-pressed rail passengers by backing the KM Group's Commuters' Charter.

The aim is to fight for a fair deal by highlighting problems experienced by Kent people from all walks of life. From hauliers to shoppers, commuters to business people.

During a visit to Chatham, Labour's Maria Eagle warned that planned increases in the price of train tickets over the next four years will lead to a crisis in the cost of living.

Ms Eagle said: "For many, the cost of getting to work is now the biggest single item in the monthly budget, bigger even than rent or mortgage payments.

"With train fares set to rise four times faster than wages in the next year, Ministers should think again and give commuters a break."

The Government announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review that regulated rail fares would increase by three per cent above the RPI inflation rate for three years from January 2012.

That means, for instance, commuters living in Chatham and using the High Speed line to St Pancras, could see their season ticket rise from £4,160 in 2011 to £5,340 by 2015.