RAIL commuters from Shenfield have been given a respite from nationwide season ticket increases – thanks to the Oyster system that has been extended from London into the borough.
There has been outcry following the national average increase of 4.3 per cent, which has added hundreds of pounds each year to the cost of an average annual season ticket.
However, since January 1, a 12-month season ticket from Shenfield to Liverpool Street has cost £2,704, down from £2,720.
Oyster, the touch-in touch-out method of travel used across the capital and which had previously only been valid as far as Harold Wood, can be thanked for the modest decrease.
Without it, a Shenfield commuter may instead have seen an increase of around £120 on their annual travel bill.
Greater Anglia, which operates services through the borough, said without the extension of the Oyster card scheme, the average season ticket price would have increased in line with hikes in season ticket costs from neighbouring stations.
Elsewhere in the borough there have been substantial increases in annual prices.
A season ticket from Brentwood has gone up from £2,256 to £2,352 – an increase of £96.
Meanwhile, the cost of an annual season ticket from Ingatestone has increased from £3,050 to £3,124.
David Kendall, secretary of Brentwood Bus and Rail Users' Association, said: "The prices are going up and up and passengers are not seeing a great deal of difference in terms of punctuality, cleanliness, and being able to always get a seat.
"Passengers are not having the best service.
"The increases are not justified, especially at Brentwood, which still does not have fast service.
"Shenfield prices may have gone down but they are still a hefty part to come out of your wage packet."
In the nine years since Oyster was introduced, more than 43 million cards have been issued and more than 80 per cent of all journeys on public transport in the capital were made using the system.
People travelling into London from the borough can now use the card, which acts as a travelcard for all public transport in the city, at both stations, meaning they do not have to buy a separate ticket before being able to use Oyster services.
For zones 1 to 6 and travel from Brentwood, the charges will be £7.30 for a peak single and £5.20 for an off-peak single.
For zones 1 to 6 and Shenfield, it will cost £8.30 for a peak single and £5.70 for an off-peak single.
