Jeremy Corbyn calls for re-nationalising the railways as crippling train fares set to rise again this morning

JEREMY Corbyn has revealed plans to bring the nation's railways back into public ownership as train fares are set to rise by again this morning.

The Labour leader has pledged to "rebuild and transform" the UK's transport network to address the "transport nightmare" currently faced by commuters.

Mr Corbyn, locked in a fierce battle to run the party with Owen Smith, insists the move could save passengers up to 10% off their fares.

He also wants to introduce measures to expand bus routes into isolated areas, which he will outline in his "Transport Tuesday" policy initiative.

It comes as the Government is set to announce another round of regulated rail fare increases for the coming year, with a series of protests planned for railway stations across the country.

The rise will be linked to July's Retail Price Index measure of inflation, which will be confirmed at 9.30am. June's figure was 1.6%.

Speaking ahead of the launch of "Transport Tuesday", Mr Corbyn said: "The Southern rail debacle just goes to show how private transport operators cannot be trusted with having passengers' best interests at heart.

"Public ownership of our railways is needed now to fix the transport nightmare we are currently faced with, and we know there is overwhelming support among the British public for a people's railway.

"It is only by bringing the railways back under public ownership as the contracts expire, that will fix the rail crisis and I'm pleased that even some Tory politicians are now joining us in calling for Southern rail to immediately be brought under public ownership.

"Today I am also pledging that under my leadership, the next Labour government, will enable all local authorities to have franchising powers over their bus networks and enable all local authorities to establish municipal bus companies.

"Together these plans for the bus and rail network will help us rebuild and transform Britain's transport system, so that no-one and no community is left behind."

The extra misery set to be heaped on commuters this morning comes as analysis shows rail fares have increased at double the speed of wages since 2010.

Research by the TUC and the Action for Rail union campaign showed that fares have risen by 25% in the last six years, while average weekly earnings have grown by 12%.

And as fares for passengers rise, dividends paid to shareholders of private train companies have risen by 21% in the last year to £222 million, said the unions.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Rail passengers are paying more and getting even less.

"Fares go up while trains remain overcrowded, stations are unstaffed, and rail companies cut the guards who ensure journeys run smoothly and safely.

"It's time for rail services to be publicly owned, saving money for passengers and taxpayers alike.

"Instead of increasing fares and cutting staff, we should be building an accessible, reliable train service that Britain can be proud of."

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "Once more the passengers and taxpayers will wonder why they must pay more for an increasingly poor service.

"When will the Government and the Department for Transport listen to those impacted by daft decisions and what is patently only good for the vested interests?"

And RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The rail privatisation racket is robbing the British people day in and day out.

"The train companies trouser billions while starving our rail infrastructure of the investment it so desperately needs.

"With the train companies queuing up to slash jobs and working conditions, at a time of dangerous overcrowding, it is a scandal that they are getting yet another fare hike.