Rail fares cost some Scots a fifth of wages

● Labour accuse Scottish Government of overseeing the ‘great train robbery’

Some Scottish commuters are spending a fifth of their average wages on rail fares in alarming figures that have been branded a “great train robbery”.

Scottish Labour’s research showed a commuter on a typical gross salary in Scotland travelling 47 miles from Edinburgh to Glasgow Central would have to pay about £380 a month for a season ticket.

In comparison, a worker commuting 30 miles from Etampes to Paris would spend 2 per cent of France’s average monthly pay on tickets at £66.

The average monthly earning for a person in Scotland is £1,929.17, according to official statistics.

Labour’s rural economy and connectivity spokesman Colin Smyth said: “SNP ministers are presiding over a great train robbery – passengers are having their pockets picked in comparison to commuters on the continent.

“Passengers are paying a fortune, often for delayed and overcrowded trains and when their train isn’t cancelled they can’t be even be guaranteed to stop at the stations they are supposed to.

“This strengthens Labour’s case to bring the railways back into public ownership.

“While SNP ministers are acting as cheerleaders for the privatised rail system, Labour is making the case to nationalise our railways, including Scotrail, at the earliest opportunity and deliver a public transport service that works for the many, not the few.”

About 85 per cent of revenue for the rail operator comes from fares set by the Scottish Government, which decides how much its customers pay, Scotrail said.

It is possible in Scotland for the public sector to bid for the franchise – a move brought in by the SNP.

A spokesman for transport minister Humza Yousaf said the suitability of existing public sector bodies bidding for such a contract was being considered.

The Scottish Government is also said to be looking at what steps would be necessary to create a new body to make a potential bid.

The spokesman added: “Scotland has the lowest rail fares increase in the UK, with the average regulated increase below the rate of inflation.

“Our consistent view is that there ought to be a level playing field between the private and public sector in bidding for rail franchises.

“This will enable us to ensure the delivery of rail services in Scotland that deliver maximum economic and social benefit.

Scottish Labour said its research included the routes of Scotrail’s top ten busiest trains from March last year, while the costs were for standard travel monthly season tickets. Scotrail fares rose by 3.2 per cent in January – the sharpest price increase in five years.

A Scotrail spokesman said: “We are investing millions of pounds in Scotland’s railway to better connect our communities and support the economy.

“Money from fares is reinvested to improve services, customer experience, and track and signals as we continue to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.”