Natalie Bennett protesting outside Kings Cross about train fares rising

VIDEO: Why do train fares always go up?

VIDEO: Why do train fares always go up?

 

As commuters returned to work for the first time in 2016, they were greeted by an average increase of 1.1% to the cost train tickets.

But as rail operators praised the annual rise as the lowest in six years, analysis from the TUC suggested that British passengers spend up to six times as much of their salary as their European counterparts.

After the annual outcry – and social media backlash – has died down, we take a look at the reasons why train fares always go up, who sets thems, and where exactly the money goes.