Scots rail fares set to increase

Train passengers in Scotland face a 6% rise in the price of most tickets from January - almost 2% above the current rate of inflation.

First ScotRail said the changes followed significant "cost pressures" over the year.

It will be the third year running that First ScotRail has held unregulated fares at the same level as regulated fares.

The operator also froze advance ticket prices on more than 80 routes.

Peter Williams, First ScotRail's commercial director, said: "We believe we have struck the right balance between encouraging customers to travel when there is capacity on less busy services - and the price for travel on busier services where space is at a premium."

Unregulated fares are subject to no maximum increase and are set at the train operator's discretion. These include most Singles, off Peak Day Returns, First Class and Anytime Returns.

Regulated fares, such as Season Tickets, Off Peak Returns and most Anytime Day Returns, increase in line with the franchise agreement of the Retail Price Index (which was 5% in July) plus 1%.

Regulated fares are set through agreement with Transport Scotland.

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