Paying an increased price for your daily commute will be a thing of the past if recommendations of the organisation that represents rail companies are carried out.

Following what the Rail Delivery Group are calling "the biggest ever rail fares consultation" a series of radical proposals have been tabled.

The group have called for the introduction of a "tap-in, tap-out" pay as you go system similar to the Oyster Card in London rolled out across the country.

The review has also called for prices to be set "flexibly" in the morning peak hours to avoid overcrowding on trains.

Of nearly 20,000 participants surveyed, 84 per cent called for an overhaul of the incredibly complex fares system, while 88 per cent called for electronic or smart ticketing.

There are currently five different single tickets available on a one-way trip between Gloucester and London Paddington.

Standard class travel during the peak morning hours will cost £109 for a standard walk-up peak single or between £83-89 if bought in advance.

After the morning peak there are two classifications of ticket 'off peak' costing between £44.10-£51.01 and 'super off peak' (£32.60-£35.40).

Responding to the survey, Paul Plummer, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, said the result was clear.

"Customers have different needs and want an easy to use range of rail fares to meet them," he said.

"Our proposals can deliver exactly that - creating a system that better fits how people live and work today.

"Rail companies are already working together on plans for real world trials so people can see what our proposals could mean for them.

"However, current regulation needs to be updated and we want to work with government, who are key to making improvements a reality, to deliver the better fares system the public wants to see."

Mike Cherry the national chairman of the Federation of Small Business added: "Many small businesses rely on the rail network, so it's key that the current out-of-date fares system is improved.

"The system needs to be brought into line with the more flexible way businesses work. This will allow companies to access the best deals when travelling, as well as making it easier to travel - and businesses to trade - across the regions of the UK.

"We appreciate that the rail industry has brought forward its proposals, and we now call on Government to start taking this work forward."