A rising number of train passengers think their rail ticket does not represent value for money, according to figures.
A total of 42% of passengers were satisfied with the value for money of their ticket in spring 2012 compared with 44% in spring 2011, a survey by rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus said.
Value-for-money satisfaction for some types of ticket was as low as 12%, this figure being the proportion of season ticket holders with the Southeastern train company who were happy with their season ticket prices.
Nationally, the proportion of passengers satisfied with their journey overall was 83% in spring 2012, compared with 84% in spring and autumn 2011.
For individual train companies, the lowest ratings for overall satisfaction were given to Greater Anglia (73%), First Capital Connect (79%), Northern Rail (80%), Southern (80%) and Southeastern (81%).
The highest ratings for overall satisfaction were achieved by Merseyrail (96%), Heathrow Connect (94%), First Hull Trains (93%), Virgin Trains (91%) and London to Tilbury and Southend operator c2c (91%).
At a national level, the proportion of passengers satisfied with punctuality/reliability was 81%, compared with 80% in spring last year.
In 13 different areas of service, the only one to decline this spring was value for money.
The improvements included overall satisfaction with the station and cleanliness of the inside of the train.
Satisfaction with value for money by individual routes run by the different train companies varied between 23% and 75%, while satisfaction with punctuality/reliability by individual routes within train companies varied between 63% and 98%.
Satisfaction with sufficient room for all passengers to sit/stand by individual routes within train companies varied between 56% and 91%.
Passenger Focus chief executive Anthony Smith praised companies who had improved their performance.
He said: "Annual season ticket holders, particularly in London and south east England, despite having regulated fares, unsurprisingly do not think their tickets represent value for money.
"The industry must keep its focus on getting the trains on time while government must think very carefully about the forthcoming decision on the rate of rises for regulated fares. The message from passengers is clear."
Office of Rail Regulation chairman Anna Walker said: "This survey shows that overall rail passenger satisfaction remains steady and healthy at 83%, but with significant investment going into Britain's railways, the industry should be ambitious and determined to achieve even better levels of satisfaction.
"It is encouraging to see key indicators of passenger information - about train times and platforms, updates during journeys and dealing with delays - all moving in the right direction over the past year, as we work to ensure the whole industry delivers appropriate, accurate and timely information for passengers."
She went on: "However, with only one third of passengers saying that delays are handled well - the lowest satisfaction score in the survey - there remains hard work ahead for everyone in the industry as it strives to meet expectations.
"Passengers are also telling us that they do not feel like Britain's railways offer value for money, with only 42% satisfied with the price of their ticket. The regulator's research has shown that passengers are often confused and frustrated by the lack of information about rail tickets, particularly where and when to get the best value fares
"Today's survey underlines the importance of the work the train operators have initiated on improving this information for passengers. We will be watching progress."
Stephen Joseph, Campaign for Better Transport's chief executive, said: "It's hardly surprising that value for money satisfaction has gone down to only 42% given that we have some of the highest fares in Europe.
"What's even more telling is that value for money satisfaction among commuters is only 29%. The Chancellor has found money to give motorists a tax break but, despite the rail industry being on target to make huge savings without fare increases, the
Government is set to confirm much higher levels of fare rises next year, penalising rail commuters who are simply trying to get to work."
Rail Minister Norman Baker said: "I am pleased that satisfaction levels are above 80%, which is a good performance given the substantial growth in passenger numbers over the last 10 years.
"This is a sign that the industry is coping well with the increase in traffic.
"The coalition Government is delivering the biggest programme of rail capacity improvements since the Victorian era, which will benefit passengers and stimulate economic growth."
Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: "Overall passenger satisfaction is still at near-record levels with over a third of all categories surveyed showing improvements year on year. But, despite this progress, train companies understand that there is no room for complacency.
"Satisfaction has risen significantly in areas such as information on train times, personal security and the availability of staff to help passengers. This reflects the hard work of train companies in providing better services that are attracting more and more people to rail.
"We recognise that value-for-money scores remain lower than others and that is why the railways are already focused on tackling costs as well as improving services."