Your article "Rail fares to rise by nine per cent" (The Argus, December 9) is correct when it states that some of South Eastern Trains' regulated fares are due to rise nine per cent in 2004.

However, it is incorrect when it reports SET's rail fares from Sussex and season ticket fares from Hastings to Charing Cross will increase by nine per cent.

In fact, season ticket fares from Hastings to London will remain at 2003 levels.

Other areas of Sussex that South Eastern Trains serves - for example, Robertsbridge, Edenbridge, Battle and Tunbridge Wells - are only rising by about three per cent - in line with of inflation.

Some fares, such as the popular Pricebusters, will also be held at 2003 levels.

On average, regulated fares across the whole of SET's network are rising by 4.1 per cent - one percent above inflation.

The changes are in line with the Strategic Rail Authority's fares policy and similar to other train operators in southern England.

-Sarah Boundy, South Eastern Trains communications