Southeastern Railway, which runs trains from Hastings and St Leonards to London, has proposed fare increases for three years of the 4.5 per cent inflation rate, plus an extra three per cent.

The increases will see a price rise of almost £300 for a yearly season ticket from Hastings to London, up to £3,909 from £3,620.

MP Michael Foster said he has written to the Office of Rail Regulation to raise his concerns about the proposed increases.

He said: "We need to look at whether or not these railway companies can justify the increases.

"We are seeing a better service, but I don't think customers are getting value for money, given trains are overcrowded.

"Rail companies have had increases in fuel prices, but their main outlay is wages, which have risen below the rate of inflation."

A spokesman for Southeastern said that the fare increases were due to decreasing subsidies from the Department for Transport.

He said: "While some of the shortfall will be made up by an increase in passenger numbers, I am afraid that some will have to be met by passengers from their fares and in our franchise agreement; we are allowed to increase fares for three years by the Retail Price Index plus three per cent. This is an average increase, so some fares will rise by less and others by more.

"For many people, this will be a significant increase and no one likes paying more. It's up to us to demonstrate that passengers are getting value for money and since taking over the franchise in April 2006, a combination of investment and efficient working has seen continuing improvements on the Southeastern network."