THERE is rising anger among Alton rail passengers following news that once again they are to be "taken for a ride" by SWT.

Having heard that there is to be "no quick fix" to improve services for those using the Alton to Waterloo line, news has been released that Farnham season ticket holders are to receive a larger cut to their annual season ticket rate than Alton colleagues.

The bombshell was dropped on Tuesday when South West Trains released its annual fare charges for 2002.

According to SWT spokesman Keith Hawkins, as from January most SWT main off-peak fares will rise less than inflation, meaning that passengers will "pay less in real terms".

It will equate to a 0.9 per cent increase which, Mr Hawkins points out, is well below the 1.6 per cent rate of inflation set in July this year.

Commuters travelling at peak time will see an average reduction of 1.4 per cent in fares, as required by the Strategic Rail Authority. This ruling will embrace season ticket holders and those purchasing standard day, single and return fares.

Additional discounts, awarded in line with the Passenger Charter and triggered by "punctuality problems", will mean that annual season ticket holders will be paying less than they did in January 1995.

According to Mr Hawkins, an Alton to Waterloo ticket which in 1995 cost £2,360 will be reduced from January to £2,280 representing an £80 saving while Farnham commuters will benefit from a £90 reduction with tickets being slashed from £2,256 in 1995 to £2,166.

The decision to reward Farnham commuters with a greater reduction when it is the "end of the line" passengers from Bentley and Alton who are having to bear the brunt of service cuts, has angered Alton Line Users' Association chairman, Chris Campbell.

"This is totally wrong. If Alton commuters are getting a worse service, they deserve a much bigger decrease in fares," he said.

The news on fares coincided with an announcement on Tuesday by Minister for Transport David Jamieson, who warned that there would be "no quick fix" for rail users who could face years of delays and cancellations.

While in some areas, he claimed, the network was getting better, the government would be seeking improvements in the long term rather than administering short-term sticking plaster.

According to the national press, the message has been attacked by rail passengers' groups as being "too negative".

Many are incensed with the service, pointing out that over the past year the railways have suffered the worst disruption since the War, and they believe that a number of measures, including the sorting out of Railtrack's future, could bring about rapid improvements.

Unable, as yet, to report fully on Tuesday's meeting at Woking with representatives of SWT and the Strategic Rail Authority in which ALUA members were pressing for improvements on the Waterloo to Alton line, Chris Campbell also warned passengers "not to expect overnight improvements".

Furthermore, he felt let down by SWT's treatment of Alton's fare-paying passengers.

Unaware at the time of any criticism, SWT commercial director Rufus Boyd was pleased with his announcement on fare cuts: "This is good news for commuters as travel to work will be even better value for money. It is also good news for our off-peak travellers.

"It is in our interest to make trains an attractive alternative to the car for leisure travel and we believe the new prices are competitive," said Mr Boyd who added:

"This comes at a time when the company has invested millions of pounds in improving our rolling stock as well as passenger facilities.

"Our passengers really will be getting more for their money."