SOUTHEASTERN has defended its decision to hike rail fares in Kent and insisted the move will not be put people off travelling by train.

The rail company has announced it will increase the price of rail travel from Kent stations to London by as much as 14 per cent in certain areas, prompting outrage from industry watchdogs and passengers.

People buying weekly rail-only season tickets from January 2 can expect to fork out up to £8.50 more if commuting from Kent stations, and there will also be hikes on the price of unregulated tickets such as cheap day returns.

But the company refuted claims in the national media that Kent would suffer more than the rest of the UK.

Southeastern spokesman Nigel Jarrett said: "The only alternative would be for the Government to increase subsidy, and Government has made it clear that it expects the passenger, as user, to shoulder more of the cost through fares."

"Some of the biggest rises in the UK are in unregulated fares - those where train operators do have discretion to set their own fares.

"Southeastern’s average for unregulated fares is 4.8 per cent."

When asked if the increased fares unfairly penalised people who had no choice but to travel by train in Kent or those trying to be greener by leaving their cars at home, Mr Jarrett said: "People travel to London because of its strong economy and plentiful, highly-paid jobs.

"They are still likely to choose to commute to the capital."

He added: "Irrespective of the cost of rail travel, it still remains the most environmentally friendly form of powered surface transport."

The rail company pledged profits from the fare increases would be invested back into the rail network, and cited the introduction of high-speed rail services from December 2009, new ticket machines and barriers at Ashford, Canterbury West, and Gravesend, and improved CCTV on trains and in stations as some of its future expenditures.

But it admitted the problem of train overcrowding and lack of seats on commuter services - one of passengers’ biggest complaints - may take longer to solve, as the 1,300 carriages the Government has promised to the UK train fleet are not expected for several years, and Southeastern is ‘hopeful’ of being a major recipient of the new stock.

The company is currently re-casting timetables to provide extra capacity through London Bridge, which will allow more and longer trains to be used.