Rail operator makes fare changes

ScotRail's overall rise of 0.26% compares to a UK increase of 1.1%

About 70% of rail fares in Scotland are to be frozen or cut from January, the rail operator has announced.

First ScotRail said off-peak returns, standard season tickets and all fares in Strathclyde would not rise in price.

But many unregulated fares - including first class fares, anytime returns, off-peak day returns and some fares outside Strathclyde - would rise by 3%.

A Passenger group welcomed the reduction in fares but described the 3%rise as a "bitter pill to swallow".

Unregulated fares make up one third of ScotRail's revenue. The rise in these fares means there will be an average overall fare increase of 0.26%.

Passenger numbers rising on ScotRail services from 69m at the start of the franchise in 2004 to 84m in 2008 Robert Samson Passenger Focus Scotland

This compares with a UK average rise of 1.1%.

Unregulated fares are set at the rail operator's discretion, and all of these will increase except anytime singles and anytime returns on Highland routes, which will be reduced by 0.4%, and 10 Journey Flexipasses - which will be frozen.

Kenny McPhail, First ScotRail's finance director, said: "We have been able to reduce or freeze some unregulated fares as well as cut regulated fares by 0.4%.

"The pressures of the current economic situation mean that we have had to increase some unregulated fares by 3%.

"We have held these at the same level as regulated fares in recent times but this is not feasible this year."

'Cost pressures'

Passenger Focus, the independent passenger watchdog, said it was disappointed that unregulated fares would rise "significantly more than inflation".

Robert Samson, Scotland's passenger manager, said: "ScotRail has admitted that there will be a 3% rise which will certainly be a bitter pill for many passengers in these tough economic times.

"With passenger numbers rising on ScotRail services from 69m at the start of the franchise in 2004 to 84m in 2008 and the increase in revenue that brings, passengers will be disappointed at the above inflation increases to some unregulated fares."

Last year train passengers in Scotland faced a 6% rise in the price of most tickets, due to "cost pressures".