OFF-peak rail travellers using the Weymouth to Waterloo line are having to dig deeper into their pockets for the second time this year.

South West Trains passengers faced increases in January and from Sunday had to bear another round of increases which average out at 18.14 per cent.

From Bournemouth the revised Cheap Day Return has gone up from £36.40 to £43.70, an increase of 20.05 per cent. From Poole it is now £45.30, a 19.84 per cent hike and from Lymington £37.00 (up 20.13 per cent). At Brockenhurst the rise is a 20.07 per cent hike to £36.50. There are also increases to the new Super Off Peak tickets for later trains. The average increase is 2.87 per cent.

Brockenhurst pensioner Valya Schooling is going to abandon the train and catch a coach next time she goes to the capital.

"The fares increases mean I will no longer be able to do this. I already pay £20 from Brockenhurst to London and that's off peak with one third off my railcard," she said.

"We would love to be able to take our grandchildren to London for the day, however, the cost of travel on top of everything else will now stop us from doing this.

"I am worried that the least expensive fares are only going to be available later in the day.

"I am 68 and like to go up to London early so that I can return before it gets dark.

"I will drive to Ringwood and get the National Express coach but many of my friends are unable to do this."

Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail watchdog Passenger Focus, described the increases as "unacceptable".

He said: "We believe that South West Trains are exploiting their monopoly as they have not increased fares on journeys where they face competition to the same extent, such as at Basingstoke and Reading."

South West Trains says the round of increases follows the award of the new 10-year franchise from February 4.

"It was found some business commuters were travelling off-peak, creating a second rush-hour.

"The new pricing regime is designed to spread the load.

Commercial director Bruce Akhurst said: "The new ticket type will bring us into line with a number of other train companies that use a similar pricing structure and allow us to better match demand and pricing."

He pointed out that with the new franchise would come £40 million in station refurbishments and improved and additional trains.