RAIL passengers on some local lines will not be able to use off-peak tickets if they are travelling between 4pm and 6.30pm from today.

Changes to Northern Rail's off-peak travel policy have been introduced, to off-set a reduction in government subsidy, and this time period is now classed as "peak" travel time.

Anyone planning on travelling between these times will now have to buy an anytime ticket. The changes effect several services in West Yorkshire.

People travelling between Leeds and Bradford in that period will now have to pay £6.50 for a return ticket instead of £4.70, an increase of 38 per cent.

Return journeys between Bradford and Keighley will rise from £3.60 to £4.80 and from Bradford to Huddersfield from £5.50 to £7.

Return trips in that time period between Keighley and Leeds will rise from £5.60 to £8 - a 44 per cent hike.

Previously "peak" times only related to travelling before 9.30am.