Cheaper rail travel scheme scrapped by Scottish Government
The year-long trial will come to an end on the 27th of September
Last updated 20th Aug 2024
Peak time fares are to return to Scotrail services - after a study found scrapping them didn't make enough difference to justify the cost.
A year-long trial will come to an end on September 27.
The Scottish Government spent £40m on the pilot - aiming to boost passenger numbers.
A 10% increase was needed to make it cost effective but the rise was just below 7%.
The decision was condemned by rail union Aslef which said it demonstrated a lack of commitment to the climate and cost-of-living crisis, with the Scottish Greens warning transport was the biggest source of carbon emissions.
The Scottish Conservatives said lowering fares was "the right thing to do" and it should have been made permanent.
Jim Baxter, Aslef executive council member said: "We are really angry and beyond disappointed. This is a disaster for workers, the economy and the environment
"Incentivising people to make the shift from road to rail travel will take years. If Scotland is to meet its climate targets it has to invest in transport and make fares affordable. This will take money out the pockets of workers, encouraging many back into cars.
"We need a government that invests in transport in the long term and looks after the environment and the economy - rather than one that jumps from one half-baked plan to another with no long term strategy."
Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: "It is a hammer blow to workers who have to travel every day but have no say on when they need to be at work.
"Ending peak rail fares is something the Scottish Greens pushed hard for alongside unions and anti-poverty campaigners. By reducing fares we were able to support thousands of commuters through the cost-of-living crisis.
"Workers and families saved hundreds of pounds. Behavioural change doesn't happen overnight and by making the move permanent we could have encouraged more people to change the way they travel.
"Every pound saved on travel is another pound that can go towards heating, eating or other expenses that have piled up.
"It is also very bad news for our environment. It sends a terrible signal and derails our climate efforts. There is no way for us to tackle the climate crisis without drastically and urgently reducing the numbers of cars on our roads."
Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: "Simplifying and lowering fares helps people afford to use trains. It was the right thing to do.
"Introducing confusing season ticket and multi-ticket deals is no compensation for removing something that should have been permanent.
"The Scottish Government should have done far more. It should never have been mere numbers but having a rail system and fare system that is fair and affordable. We have gone backwards."
Ms Hyslop said: "The pilot will have been welcome in saving many passengers hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds during the cost-of-living crisis, but this level of subsidy cannot continue in the current financial climate on that measure alone.
"I am aware, however, that a significant minority of people who cannot choose when they travel to and from work did and would benefit from lower priced rail travel - these are people who might find the return to peak fares challenging."
She said a discount on season tickets would be available along with a reintroduction of super off-peak fares.
Ms Hyslop added: "The Scottish Government would be open to consider future subsidy to remove peak fares should UK budget allocations to the Scottish Government improve in future years."