Rail fares are set to rise faster in England and Wales than in Scotland from next year, saving Scottish commuters up to £750 over the next four years.
Campaign for Better Transport says that the Scottish government does not intend to raise the cap on regulated train fares for ScotRail routes from next January in line with increases south of the border.
Fares are linked to inflation and are set to rise ‘significantly faster’ than wages in the coming years.
However, ‘while rail passengers in England and Wales will see regulated fares soar 28% by 2015, Scottish commuters will face a 21% increase over the same period.’
Journeys that cross the border into England will still be subject to the higher increase.
Alexandra Woodsworth, Campaign for Better Transport’s Public Transport Campaigner, said:
“Fares are already far too expensive wherever you live, and we need to reverse the trend of year on year increases. But while Westminster is introducing the biggest hikes in a generation, the government in Scotland has decided to protect passengers from extra fare increases. We encourage the next Scottish government to continue to set an example for the rest of Britain.”
Campaign for Better Transport launched Fair Fares Now to call for cheaper, simpler, fairer train tickets that provide good value for money and encourage people to choose the train.
The campaign has recently joined forces with Transform Scotland, an alliance of Scottish sustainable transport groups.
Colin Howden, Transform Scotland’s Director, said:
“Fare increases facing Scottish rail travellers over the next five years are already unacceptably steep. So it is truly outrageous that the coalition government is planning to punish rail users south of the border with even higher fare hikes. Higher rail fares will only force people off trains and back on the roads.”
Fair Fares Now is supported by a group of MPs who have tabled a parliamentary motion calling for more affordable rail fares.
