Next month will see the repetition of a familiar New Year’s tradition. In January, rail fares go up 2.7 per cent, meaning that people returning to work after Christmas will have to dig a bit deeper to fund their commute. Yet while passengers might be accustomed to such hikes, they may not continue to accept them — particularly as services worsen.

January’s rise is pegged to the Retail Price Index, which was dropped as an official statistic in 2013 after economists decided it was an inaccurate — indeed, an inflated — way to measure inflation. Promises by former transport ministers to move to the more widely-accepted Consumer Price Index have failed to materialise, leaving passengers out of pocket. It’s hardly surprising, then, that less than half of rail passengers regard their ticket as value for money.

Worse still, last year’s botched timetable reform and mishandled franchise competitions — on top of perennial concerns about reliability, punctuality and overcrowding — have fuelled widespread discontent with railway management. The current franchise model — increasingly complex, unaccountable and distant from the consumer — has struggled to address these concerns, losing passengers’ trust in the railways.

The government’s long-awaited review of the railways, undertaken by Keith Williams, is due to publish early next year. Williams is expected to recommend, amongst other things, an overhaul of the fare system. It is widely acknowledged that the current system is unfair, overcomplicated and overpriced: single tickets that cost as much as returns, differently-priced ticket options for every journey and commuter tickets modelled on an old fashioned nine-to-five make no sense, and no longer suit the way people travel.

Add to this a policy that raises the price of the most popular fares above the accepted measure of inflation, and dissatisfaction turns to anger. The government’s regulation of peak fares is an important tool in ensuring that commuting by rail is affordable to all. At present, however, it is having the opposite effect.

The Top 10: UK Railway Stations Show all 10 1 /10 The Top 10: UK Railway Stations The Top 10: UK Railway Stations 10. York “Stunning building and has a footbridge to the adjacent National Railway Museum which is also brilliant,” said Richard Jacks. “Best station overall,” said Realhansard, although Bristol Temple Meads wins “best frontage”. Getty The Top 10: UK Railway Stations 9. Wemyss Bay, Invercylde “It retains its Victorian iron work, incorporates access to the adjacent ferry terminal (gateway to Rothesay) and accommodates its own bar and a book shop,” said Alan Robertson, endorsed by Jonathan Smout. Colin/Wikimedia Commonsn The Top 10: UK Railway Stations 8. St Pancras “There can only be one best, especially when you regard inside and out,” said Twitter user John-O-Goring, endorsed by James Farrar. Colin/Wikimedia Commons The Top 10: UK Railway Stations 7. Rannoch “Where ice ages begin,” said Doug Haslam. You can see what he means: it’s on the West Highland Line and it’s pretty. Helen / Wikimedia Commons The Top 10: UK Railway Stations 6. Oakworth The gem from The Railway Children, nominated by Nick Clayton. RuthAS The Top 10: UK Railway Stations 5. Norwich “Beautiful,” said Nick Wyatt. The old Norwich City station was also striking. Chris Allen The Top 10: UK Railway Stations 4. King's Cross I am not against modern architecture; I am against bad modern architecture. I think the new King’s Cross is wonderful, combining old, new and imaginary, with the permanent queue for platform 9¾. Nominated by Oli Coulson. Getty The Top 10: UK Railway Stations 3. Huddersfield “Admired by Betjeman, and a Harold Wilson statue outside,” said Mark Bassett. “Externally, one of the country’s most attractive stations,” added Robert Kaye. “And uniquely has two pubs.” Bloomberg via Getty The Top 10: UK Railway Stations 2. Birmingham Curzon Street Will said: “Birmingham has two. Curzon Street, a Grade I listed building which has somehow survived despite the last scheduled service leaving in 1854. Due to be the Birmingham terminal of HS2, restoring regular passenger service after a gap of 170 years. Moor Street, restored to its 1930s heyday, is probably the most charming terminal in any major city.” Tom Joyce also nominated Moor Street, the other end of the journey from Marylebone, a much better journey than from Euston to New Street. Tony Hisgett The Top 10: UK Railway Stations 1. Achnasheen On the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line. Nominated by Peter Warner. Peter Warner

These factors and others combine to make a complete overhaul of the fares system — one that is guided not by the rail industry, but by the views and interests of the public, including those who do not currently find rail services relevant — long overdue. We need season tickets for part-time workers, pay-as-you-go travel, regulated peak-time fares, single-leg ticketing, multimodal fares and zonal ticketing — many of which the government has often promised, but never delivered.

We also need to think more broadly about how we fund our rail system. While the railways should continue to be paid for primarily from fares income and public investment, there are other opportunities to raise revenue, such as through land value capture and the Community Infrastructure Levy. To support this, a new arm’s-length body should be established to develop business models that capture the full financial benefit of rail.

Passengers urgently need a railway system that they can enjoy, rather than endure them through gritted teeth. The next government has an opportunity to revolutionise Britain’s railways — it must take it.