Rail travel in the Bradford district increased by nearly 12 per cent last year.

Train journeys in West and North Yorkshire rose from 24.3 million in 2004 to 27.2 million in 2005.

That's an 11.6 per cent rise - more than twice the national average for regional routes - says Northern Rail, which is celebrating a "very encouraging" first year.

The trains' growing popularity is due to economic growth in West Yorkshire and improved operational performance, according to the York-based company, which increased ticket prices by 3.9 per cent yesterday. Northern Rail won the franchise for Yorkshire and Humberside, the North West and North East in December 2004.

A spokesman said: "It's been a very good first year for Northern Rail and particularly good in Yorkshire.

"We have seen a general ten per cent increase in passenger throughput and on some routes it has been between 15 and 20 per cent. In Yorkshire, we are predicting a 15 per cent year-on-year growth.

"It's down to a combination of two key factors - economic growth, particularly in the Leeds area, and continued improvement in operational performance. We find these results very encouraging, although there's still room for improvement."

Northern Rail introduced a 3.9 per cent increase on all ticket prices yesterday. The spokesman said prices had risen in line with inflation plus a further one per cent, as set by the Department of Transport. "We still offer some of the cheapest and most cost-effective fares in the country. For example, Leeds to Ilkley is £5.30 at peak and £3 off-peak," said the spokesman.

Councillor John Prestage (Lab, Keighley Central), a member of Metro, the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, said there had been a marked improvement since Northern Rail took over the franchise.

He said: "The trains have been a lot better in general in the last 12 months and passenger support has also improved. I travel regularly on the line from Ilkley and the trains are always packed.

"Economic growth is obviously an important factor in increasing passengers because more people are traveling from the Bradford area into Leeds, or vice versa, to go to work.

"There has also been an increased service on the Aire Valley line."

But with rail travel expected to grow further in coming years Coun Prestage warned more car parking would have to be provided at the district's railway stations.

"We have to make sure there are enough spaces at stations such as Crossflatts, Keighley and Silsden," he said.

Tom Wesley, chairman of the Wharfedale Rail Users Group, said: "Broadly speaking, Northern Rail does a good job and has every reason to be positive."

But he said more rolling stock could be needed in the coming years to prevent overcrowding on some services.

The growth in passenger numbers on Northern Rail services is more than double the 5 per cent national average for regional routes.