The government is to cap fare rises by RPI+ one per cent for 2013 and 2014.
Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement on the first day of the Conservative conference.
Rail fares were to increase by three per cent plus inflation following an announcement in August, with some tickets predicted to rise by as much as 11 per cent.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “The fares national rail passengers pay will continue to support our major programme of rail improvements, the largest in scale since the Victorian era.
“It will deliver crucial benefits for passengers, including relief from crowding on some of the nation’s busiest routes.”
Anthony Smith, chief executive of Passenger Focus, said: “We welcome the news that government has reduced the price increase to RPI+ one per cent. For hard pressed passengers who rely on the train, especially those who don’t have the option to change the times they travel to take advantage of cheaper options, this will be a relief.
“However, the result is still a big increase in regulated fares. Passengers in the UK already pay some of the highest fares in Europe and our most recent passenger survey showed that just 42 per cent felt they had got value for money on their ticket.
“We strongly support the intention to end above-inflation rises entirely as soon as possible: for many passengers this cannot come soon enough.”
