Tube commuters are bracing themselves for a rise in fares due to come into effect later this month.

There has been criticism of a hike in the cost of using the national rail network, with an average 2.8 per cent rise higher than average wage increases.

And travelcards used by commmuters travelling into zone 1 from zone 5 and 6, which include Epping, Theydon Bois, Debden, Loughton and Buckhurst Hill, are set to increase by £6 a month from January 19.

Scott Cunningham, of Bush Fair in Harlow, travels from Epping to St Pauls five days a week.

He said: “It’s only a small increase of a few quid but it all adds up.

“I’ve had a pay rise this year which just about covers it but a lot of people won’t have.

“I don’t agree with the increase because sometimes you don’t get a seat or the service is delayed and it never seems to improve.

“I would be happy if they froze all the fares and didn’t do station improvements for a few years.
“All the stations I go through seem alright.”

Oyster pay-as-you-go fares have been frozen.