A PLEDGE to help reduce the cost of living by curbing rising rail fares has not convinced local passenger groups.

A three per cent cut in the steepest fare increases could save commuters up to £200 a year on some season tickets, the Government says.

But Chris Bates, chairman of Cherwell Rail Users Group, said: “With the freezing of petrol duty whilst road building projects continue, we would expect the Government to treat rail passengers the same way. We are fed up of being picked on.”

John Ellis, chairman of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group, said: “I don’t think it represents a saving in people’s cost of living.”