MSP Ross Greer criticises reintroduction of peak train fares

Peak time rail fares returned to train services in Scotland this week after the end of a pilot scheme that scrapped higher prices.

According to Mr Greer, fares from Barrhead to Glasgow at peak times have increased from £4.80 to £7.20, a hike of 50%.

He told the Barrhead News: “The return of peak rail fares will cost workers and families in East Renfrewshire a fortune at a time when a lot of people are really struggling.

“Ending peak fares was long campaigned for by rail unions, so I was proud when the Scottish Greens delivered it last year.

“I know many local commuters will be angry to see the SNP bring them back like this, especially when other savings options were available.

“Some people in East Renfrewshire will have saved hundreds of pounds thanks to the Greens since last October.”

The Scottish Government previously concluded the costs did not justify continuing the trial.

Around £40 million was spent on the scheme, which began on October 2, 2023.

An analysis published by ministers in August found the trial had had a limited degree of success in encouraging more people to travel by train and mainly benefited existing passengers.

Passenger levels increased by a maximum of around 6.8% but the scheme required a 10% rise to be self-financing.

“Those reduced fares encouraged many to leave their cars at home, helping tackle the climate crisis and local air pollution,” added Mr Greer.

“Transport is the biggest source of carbon emissions in Scotland. There is no way for us to tackle the climate emergency without improving public transport and reducing the numbers of cars on our roads. Bringing back peak fares will only take us backwards.”

“Changing the way we travel doesn’t happen overnight and by permanently making rail travel cheaper, we could have encouraged more people onto the trains.

“I urge the Scottish Government to reconsider this decision and to make cheaper fares a permanent feature of our rail network."

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We know that some people have no choice but to travel by rail at peak times. That is why we have reduced the cost of all ScotRail season tickets – available weekly, monthly and annually - and enhanced the flexipass.

"Ministers have also stated several times that they would be open to considering future subsidy to remove peak fares should UK budget allocations improve.

"These tickets will substantially reduce the cost of travelling at peak times on most routes and we would hope that everyone will help ScotRail to promote these.

“Prior to the pilot someone travelling between Barrhead and Glasgow would have paid £6.60 for an anytime return.

"They will now pay £7.20 for an anytime day return but with the 20% discount this reduces to £4.06 if they use an annual season ticket to travel at least 4 days per week or £4.85 if using a flexipass for a return journey."