Train fares are expected to rise 2.5 percent in from 2019, according to economists.

This follows thousands of delays and cancellations over the course of the year from many train operators, causing chaos for commuters across the UK.

This follows a 3.6 per cent rise at the start of the year, already marking the highest rise in the last five years.

The exact details of the rise will be revealed on Wednesday following the publication of official inflation figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Economists expect the Retail Prices Index measure of inflation, which is used by the Department for Transport, to have risen 3.5 percent in July.

News of the rise comes after Which?, the consumers association, found train firms to be the second least-trusted industry in the country.

Specifically, satisfaction with train companies had dipped to 72 per cent from 62 per cent a decade ago.

Overall, customer satisfaction with value for money rested at an average of 46 percent in the year to spring 2018.

This proved even lower for commuters, with a marginal rise from 30 percent to 31 percent across the same period.

In addition, approval of handling of delays has remained persistently low for train operators, with Which? noting a four percentage point increase in satisfaction.

Peter Vicary-Smith, Which? chief executive, commented on the findings:

‘With persistent poor service, delays, cancellations and the hassle of getting compensation for journeys, it’s unsurprising that trust in the rail industry has been consistently low and only getting worse.

‘Passengers expect increased satisfaction to come with the hike in their ticket prices, not a decade of disappointment and unprecedented disruption like many faced this year.’