I'm shocked and upset. I've been mugged, in broad daylight, in the middle of a busy station.

I'm spending the weekend at my parents and travelling by train. Therefore, on my way into Stevenage for work I purchased my return train ticket to Suffolk. When I last went up to Darsham station from Hitchin my ticket cost £13.45 (including my Young Persons discount) which I think was reasonable value for money.

However, this morning the chap behind the counter asked me for more than £20. I said "I'm very sorry, dear sir, there must be some mistake. Just three weeks ago this cost me £13.45". He tapped away on his keyboard for a moment and then swung his screen around and showed me that, indeed, the price has rocketed to £21.10.

That's a sodding 49.4% price increase. How the crazy hell can the train companies justify a hike in price just shy of 50%!? Not only does the trip now cost half as much on top of the previous price, I can't get to Darsham using the train service in quicker than four hours this afternoon. Doing the trip by car takes only two hours. And the Government wants to promote and get us to use public transport?! Christ!

Anyway, I'm writing to National Rail requesting an explanation and justification for this theft. I'll let you know what they say.