Rail fares set to increase by 3.6%
face a 3.6 per cent hike in rail fares from January, but Scotrail passengers travelling outside rush hours will see a smaller rise.
The increase is the biggest for four years and is nearly double last year’s 1.9 per cent rise.
However, off-peak tickets on Scotland’s main train firm will increase by 2.6 per cent – 1 per cent less than on other operators such as Virgin Trains.
The 3.6 per cent increase includes season tickets and peak-rate – or “Anytime” – fares.
That means peak return fares – anytime day returns – between Edinburgh and Glasgow will go up by 85p from £23.80 to £24.65.
Off-peak day returns will rise by around 35p from £12.70 to £13.05. The rises, set by ministers, are based on last month s retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation of 3.6 per cent, announced today, which increased from 3.5 per cent in June.
The news will re-open the debate about who pays for the railways, with unions claiming operators shareholders benefit while ministers insist passengers should help pay for the massive improvements to the network underway.
Transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government has restricted annual increases in fare costs to ensure Scotland has the lowest price increases in the UK. While there has to be an increase in fares to support rail services, our actions ensure the annual increase for key fares is never more than inflation and that any increase for off-peak fares is always less than inflation.
“This allows us to continue to invest in improvements, to grow passenger numbers and to ensure rail travel is fair, affordable and an attractive alternative to travelling by car.”
Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and track owner Network Rail, said: “Money from fares pays to run and improve the railway, boosting the economy, creating skilled jobs and supporting communities across Britain, and politicians set increases to season tickets.
“Many major rail industry costs rise directly in line with RPI.”