Weekly tickets from the Illawarra to Central are likely to increase by up to $9 in some parts of the region from January 1.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal's (IPART) draft determination released yesterday recommended passengers pay for 30 per cent of CityRail's costs.

Under a new distance-based approach, those travelling longer distances will be hit hardest.Transport Minister and Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell was so concerned about the effect of the higher prices on Illawarra commuters, he said he would ask IPART to make changes.

The recommended fare increases came on the heels of the 2008 CityRail customer survey which found the South Coast line had some of the highest levels of crime and abuse in the whole network, with 6 per cent of passengers falling victim to crime or violence on trains or stations within six months of the survey.

Illawarra commuters have also had to endure trackwork disrupting services between Wollongong and Waterfall this week and it will continue next week.

Mr Campbell said commuters should be aware the IPART recommendations were just a draft at this stage.

"I will encourage IPART to change the way it's structured its recommendations," he said.

"How that plays out is yet to be determined."

The IPART report recommended a rise in single fares of 40c between Wollongong or Thirroul and Central, and 80c between Kiama and Wollongong.

Single fares from Kiama to Sydney will remain the same.

However, Wollongong and Kiama residents commuting to Central on a weekly ticket will be hit hardest with a $9 a week increase.

Commuters buying weekly tickets to Central from Thirroul will pay $8 more, and weekly tickets between Kiama and Wollongong will rise by $7.

IPART's recommendations will now be open to submissions until November 5 and Mr Campbell encouraged commuters to write in and let the tribunal know what they thought.

"This is a draft determination by IPART and there is an opportunity for the community to have input."

However, he said it would be wrong of him to say that train fares would not increase.

"When you look at the investment in maintenance ... that's got to be paid for somehow."

The good news was that IPART recommended off-peak discounts to increase from 30 per cent to 50 per cent.

IPART's aim was to implement a consistent distance-based fare structure, increase the off-peak discount and give weekly ticket holders a constant 20 per cent discount across the network.