An MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife has questioned the Scottish Government on what it was doing to prevent people being priced out of rail travel.

Highlighting that the rail fares increase of 8.7 per cent from April will be the second price hike in less than a year, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker has questioned the Scottish Government on what it is doing to ensure rail travel is both an attractive and affordable option for people in her constituency.

ScotRail are currently running a peak fares removal pilot until June 28. This means that people can travel anytime on off-peak tickets, which are cheaper. However, when the pilot ends there will be a significant rise in ticket prices.

Claire Baker said: “While the current pilot removal of peak rail fares has brought a welcome reduction in the cost of rail travel, when it ends passengers will face significant increases in prices that risk making rail travel unaffordable for some. Marking the end of the pilot with the second price hike in a year flies in the face of the Scottish Government’s pledge to deliver a customer-focused rail service.

“The ever increasing cost of rail travel will do nothing to make it an attractive option for passengers and the Scottish Government needs to take action to prevent people being priced off our railways. Alongside the forthcoming Fair Fares Review, its needs to set out how and when it will address the cost of rail travel on a permanent basis.”

As previously reported in The Times, train costs for West Fife passengers can be up to three times more for the same length of journey elsewhere in the country.

The Minister for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: “A range of work is under way to improve services in Fife. As the result of a £160 million investment by the Scottish Government, a new line to Levenmouth will open, and services will commence in June. The ScotRail peak fares removal pilot has also been extended for a further three months, until June.

“That initiative will not only support the Government’s ambitions for more sustainable travel but continue to attract passengers to rail in the member’s electoral region and throughout Scotland, as it offers passengers significant savings.”