Transport union RMT slammed the government and Northern Rail yesterday for plotting to axe off-peak fares purely to cream more cash off the travelling public.

The privateer will scrap a range of off-peak fares from Monday — doubling the price of some journeys.

It comes as the franchise operated by the company is up for grabs, bringing fears of further fares increases, job cuts, ticket office closures and reduced services.

Passengers have signed 10,000 RMT postcards protesting at job and service cuts and rising fares and the union will target 12 stations next week asking the public to press  their MPs to sign a parliamentary petition against the cuts.

RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: “The axing of off-peak fares is a savage kick in the teeth for people already struggling with the burden of low pay and austerity and the fact that it has been cooked up by the Department for Transport in collusion with the privatisation pirates from Northern Rail is a warning of what’s to come.”