Yesterday morning marked the moment much of the borough dragged themselves out of bed and back to work after the indulgence of the festive break. Many were disgruntled to find they were faced with queues to accompany the fare increase.

From January 2, South West Trains, increased fares by 2.3 per cent, seeing a non-restrictive season ticket from Weybridge to London Waterloo rise from £2,728 to £2,792.

The service dubbed the "sardine express" has faced criticism about the fare increase, with many commuters convinced it did not merit a rise in price.

Dominic Raab, MP for Esher and Walton, who commutes from Esher into London, said last month: "With the real turn increase in fares, albeit a modest one, passengers in Elmbridge will quite rightly ask what extra value for money they are going to be getting."

People took to Twitter to comment on yesterday morning's delays.

Tristan Pertwee said: "It seems like everyone's new year resolution is to buy a ticket from Oxshott station."

SJ Gregory said: "Twenty minutes queueing at Cobham station and still not able to buy a ticket. It shouldn't be so hard to travel to work."

Adding: "The fare increase was negligible for me it is the lack of accountability for the constant terrible service which grates."

South West Trains confirmed an average rise of 9.5p for single journey tickets on Friday, December 5, 2014, taking effect from January 2.

The government's Autumn Statement announced a separate 2.5 per cent rise for season tickets and other fares.

Tim Shoveller, chief executive of the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance, said: "For every pound spent on fares, 97p goes on track, train, staff and other costs while 3p goes in profits earned by train companies for running services on Europe's fastest growing railway.

"The industry is continuing to work together to get more for every pound we invest to enable government to make fares decisions which work best for passengers."

South West Trains apologised to rail users for delays and large queues on Monday, January 5.

It said: "Sorry for the queues this morning, we suspect everyone has waited till today to renew their season tickets. We're introducing smartcards this year to much of our network which should help ease this problem in the long run."