Bradford’s elderly train passengers could soon have to pay almost double the present cost of a standard, single fare to travel in West Yorkshire.

Price hikes will see concessionary fares rise from 35p to 65p per journey.

The increase was agreed by members of West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority’s executive. The move is expected to save the authority £300,000, less than a third of the £1m savings it aims to make during the next financial year.

Bradford’s Labour group has hit out at the raise.

Councillor Sher Khan, a non-executive member of the authority, said: “This is a massively disproportionate increase that is targeted at older people.

“An elderly couple making a return journey twice a week will now pay an extra £2.30. It might not sound much but over a month that’s nearly £10.

“The idea is to raise more money but it could have the opposite effect because it will put people off using trains.”

Coun Ryk Downes, chairman of the West Yorkshire integrated transport authority Metro, denied the elderly had been singled out.

He said: “Sixty five pence is the maximum figure and we are hoping to reduce the impact of that. The last time we put it up was in 2005.

“The 65p rate still represents excellent value.”

Coun Chris Greaves said: “The final level hasn’t yet been determined. If it does go up to 65p it’s effectively a five pence rise a year since 2005. If we can get it down to 50p, that’s 2.5 pence a year.

“Most fares now cost between £2.50 and £3 so this is more like an 85 per cent discount off what everyone else is paying.”