Rail commuters have blasted a new flexible season ticket for part-time office-workers as a "con", claiming some journeys are more expensive under the new system.

The government scheme aims to make travelling cheaper for those combining working from home and going into the office.

A Sevenoaks rail campaigner says more needs to be done to encourage people to use trains

Flexi-tickets allow travel on any eight days in a 28-day period, with passengers able to tap smartcards or scan mobiles at the station.

The launch of the scheme yesterday is part of a major overhaul of Britain's railways, dubbed the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail, but it has been met with fury from commuters, with some claiming they would not save any money.

Mathilda Folkins, who works in investment real estate, says she is “infuriated” at how expensive the flexi-ticket is.

She was hoping to travel three days a week from Canterbury West to St Pancras, then catch the tube to Baker Street.

“It’s an absolute joke and a con,” the 31-year-old said. “Southeastern has always been ridiculously expensive, but it’s worth it for the high speed.

“This has changed everything with how I’m going to work part-time, if at all.”

She could now be forced to go back to working full-time as the scheme would be more expensive for her.

“What should have been a really great thing where people were rejoicing has actually turned into a poisoned apple,” she added.

A flexi-ticket valid on high speed services from Canterbury East and West stations to the other London Terminals would cost £536 for eight passes, not including a London travelcard.

For those commuting three days a week, adding the cost of four additional anytime day returns priced at £76.60, it totals £842.40 for the month.

That is compared with £678.20 for a monthly season ticket - a cost per day of £31.33.

Canterbury and Whitstable MP and commuter, Rosie Duffield, has hit out at the scheme and has urged the government to work with train companies to further reform the fares system.

"Commuters have been calling for the introduction of flexible season tickets for some time, and with the return to normality in the wake of Covid, it is likely that we will see more people combining working from home and going into the office," she said.

"While this is clearly the perfect time to bring in these part-time season tickets, unfortunately when you look at the pricing, rail users have highlighted that some part-time season tickets can actually work out even more expensive than the full season ticket.

"Surely this must be an error on the part of the Department for Transport?

"We cannot expect people to continue using the railways on a part-time basis, yet charge them the same or even more."

However, Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately welcomed the new tickets.

"Really pleased that flexi fares are finally becoming a reality this month," she said.

"Something that will make a real difference to the lives of commuters who work part time or flexibly, and another campaign win."

Commuters can visit an updated online 'season ticket calculator' website, which will point people to the best tickets for them based on their journey, working pattern and individual needs.

A spokesperson for Southeastern said: "Flexi season tickets will offer savings to most people who commute two to three days a week.

"For those with different commuting patterns, existing tickets such as traditional season tickets or daily tickets may be the best choice - and already offer a significant discount."

They said passengers should consider which product "best suits their travel patterns".

"On a minority of routes, including Canterbury to London St Pancras, traditional season tickets already offer significant discounts for three-day a week commuters, when compared to the cost of the peak return fare," they added.

"In these cases, passengers may find better long-term value through purchasing monthly or annual season tickets, rather than multiple flexi season ticket bundles."

The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail involves a new public body called Great British Railways (GBR) taking over responsibility for managing infrastructure, issuing contracts to train operators, setting fares and selling tickets.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said railways "work best when they are reliable, rapid and affordable".

"As we kickstart the biggest reforms to our railways in a generation flexible season tickets are the first step," he said.

"They give us greater freedom and choice about how we travel, simpler ticketing and a fairer fare.

"With a season ticket calculator to see which option works best for you, and a book with confidence guarantee to make journeys stress-free, the future of fares is flexible."

Read more: All the latest news from Kent