ScotRail passengers face 'disaster' as peak time fares to return this week

ScotRail has slashed services in recent months and is now set to hammer passengers with the return of peak time fares.

The Scottish Government has been urged to reconsider the cost of travelling by train as passengers are set to be hammered by the return of peak time fares this week.

Commuters will see a sharp increase in the price of their ticket from September 27 if they travel on a ScotRail service before 9.30am or from 4.30-6pm on weekdays.

SNP ministers had previously scrapped peak time fares in an attempt to boost passenger numbers after the rail network was devastated by repeated covid lockdowns.

But the pilot project was abandoned in August - meaning the cost of a day return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh will rise from £16.20 to £31.40.

The reintroduction of peak fares has been sharply criticised by the Scottish Greens, who argued for their abolition when in government.

MSP Mark Ruskell said the cost of reducing railway travel was a small price if it led to higher passenger numbers in the long term.

"The return of peak rail fares will be a disaster for commuters and our climate. Rail users in Scotland already pay some of the highest fares in Europe," he said. "We need to reduce the number of cars on our roads if we are to hit our climate targets, but we can’t encourage people to make the switch to rail if we are making trains even more expensive.

"Ending peak fares is something that the Scottish Greens were proud to work with campaigners and trade unions to achieve during our time in government. It has helped thousands of workers and families who have no say in when they need to travel for work or study.

"Cheaper, greener railways have a key role to play in boosting public transport and protecting our planet. The cost of removing peak fares is a fraction of what is being spent every year on road building projects. Even at this late stage, I urge the Scottish Government to think again, and to scrap peak fares for good."

The reintroduction of peak fares comes at a time ScotRail is still running a temporary timetable with far fewer services. Train numbers were slashed after members of the ASLEF union - which represents drivers - declined to work rest days while a pay claim was negotiated.

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A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: "The pilot was a welcome incentive over the last 12 months, saving many passengers hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds during the cost of living crisis. The published analysis shows it primarily benefited existing rail passengers and those with medium to higher incomes. As such, the subsidy required in the current financial climate means it cannot continue on the measure of saving money alone.

"Although passenger levels increased to a maximum of around seven per cent, it would require a 10 per cent increase in passenger numbers for the policy to be self-financing. The Scottish Government would be open to consider future subsidies to remove peak fares should UK budget allocations improve in future years.

"Ministers understand this will be disappointing for many rail users, particularly for those who cannot choose when they travel to and from work. There is no doubt that this has been a challenging period for rail travel but Ministers are hopeful that services can get back to normal soon and Scotland’s Railway continues to grow."

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