"The government talks about the climate challenge and the importance of reducing carbon emissions, but allowing never-ending above-inflation rail fares rises will only result in more polluting road traffic," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

"It is only a six months since the Commons Transport Select Committee condemned the shambolic state of rail pricing structures and exposed the private sector's inability to operate the railways as a public service.

"Since then we have also had the stark warnings in the Stern report, but it seems it is to be 'big business as usual' for the private train operators.

"A fundamental shift in policy is needed that will use fares policy to encourage rail use and recognise that there needs to be substantial public investment in new rail capacity.

"Increasing capacity doesn't mean ripping out a few seats and removing passenger toilets to squeeze in a few more standing commuters.

"We need a fares and ticketing structure designed to encourage people out of their cars and onto trains and a joined-up transport policy capable of delivering extra capacity to cope with the extra demand.

"Britain's rail fares are already among the most expensive in Europe, and the privateers who run them are interested only in maximising profits from travellers.

"As long as they are allowed to continue in this vein the government will be unable to meet its commitment to reduce carbon emissions," Bob Crow said.