SOARING rail fares mean that it will be cheaper to travel by chauffeur-driven car than by train, a chauffeur service claimed today.

Rail fare hikes of up to nine per cent mean businessmen and women can make massive savings by travelling to meetings in luxury in a chauffeur-driven limo.

The claim is based on more than one business person sharing and on the basis of a First Class Open Plan return rail ticket.

Chris Brown, director of the Pinnacle Chauffeur Transport, whose York area branch is in Pickering, said: "A return rail ticket between York and say Norwich would cost £169, whereas we would charge £280.

"But if two passengers are travelling together the train journey costs £338, whereas we would charge £280.

"At an extreme level, if a party of six are travelling there by train, the total cost of the return tickets would be £1,014, against our fee-per-vehicle of only £280.

"The tide has been turning against the rail companies for some time, but this latest fare increase will cost them dearly.

"We've noticed a steady stream of businessmen and women coming to us in recent years because the train is too expensive. These latest increases will open the floodgates.

"Who in their right mind will take a more expensive train journey when you can travel in luxury? Leather seats, complimentary drinks, etc, without the inconvenience of having to find transport at your destination station.

"The rail companies have shot themselves in both feet, and we're looking forward to our best year ever."

Updated: 11:29 Friday, January 13, 2006