Labour has pledged to put rail passengers before profit if it regains power following the 2015 general election.

Speaking at the party's conference in Manchester, shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh said users of the country's railways are dissatisfied with overcrowding and "secret" fare rises by operators, BBC News reports.

Under a Labour government, fare rises would be capped, state-owned firms would be permitted to take on franchises and local communities would be given more say in the operation of services, she declared.

"A Labour government will deliver the biggest reform of the railways since privatisation to deliver a better deal for taxpayers and passengers," Ms Creagh said.

The coalition government insists more investment is being made in the railways since the Victorian era. However, the shadow transport secretary pointed out that commuters have seen the cost of train travel rise by an average of 20 per cent since 2010.