COMMUTERS now have to fork out almost £1,000 a year to park at Oxted Station after a 4.1% price hike.
Southern Rail has increased parking charges at train stations across the Tandridge district.
Daily commuters, who have already suffered an average 4 per cent increase in annual rail fares this month, have branded the price hikes "disgraceful" and despair that they are "stuck in a catch-22".
Samantha Engrish, 52, of Bluehouse Lane, commutes from Oxted to London Bridge every day for her job in publishing.
She said: "Us commuters are being hit hard in our pockets. We are told to help reduce our carbon footprint, yet companies are making it increasingly difficult to do this.
"We work hard to keep our jobs, and with the economy the way it is that is no mean feat. We just want to get to work to earn a living to support our families. We do not want to have to cut down on groceries just for the 'privilege' of going to work."
An annual parking ticket for Oxted Station now costs a whopping £919 – up from £882 last year. The daily rate has gone up to £5.50, from £5.30 last year.
Anabelle Matthews, 28, of Wheeler Avenue, said: "Money is tight no matter where you have to travel to by train. The train fares have gone up and now they want us to fork out more to park – it is disgraceful."
Others have admitted they could be forced to park on residential roads instead – which could create problems for the station's neighbours.
Adam Tillings, 49, of Church Lane, said: "More people will park in side-streets or at different stations.
"I park here because it is my closest station, but I would be tempted to drive further afield and walk to the station, or park at a different and cheaper station.
"It is a catch-22 because train companies know that it will take us triple the amount of time to drive into London than it would to jump on a train. Increasing parking fares does nothing to encourage people to use public transport."
A Southern Rail spokesman said parking charges had risen by an average 4.2 per cent.
Chris Hudson told the Mirror: "Revenue received from car parking goes towards improving our car parks where we invest in better lighting, better security fencing and CCTV, resurfacing and re-lining, and the addition of spaces where possible."
This includes an extra 88 spaces which are being created at Upper Warlingham Station by the summer.
He added: "Our car park charging strategy takes into account charges levied by local authorities, and private car park companies at car parks near our stations. We have to ensure that we do not undercut these car parks as non-rail users would soon fill up our car parks if we do, leaving our regular customers with nowhere to park."
Those parking at Woldingham Station will also see annual parking charges increase, from £706.60 to £776.60.
