ScotRail cuts 27,000 services as passengers face massive fare hike
dailyrecord.co.ukGovernment-run ScotRail has cut up to 27,000 train services over the summer while announcing a massive fare hike.We can reveal the nationalised company has dramatically reduced timetables on some busy lines to as little as one train every three hours at night.
Despite this, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced she will be reintroducing peak fares at busy times. This means thousands of commuters will face increased bills of up to £1536 a year, with some return trip prices almost doubling.Scottish Labour transport spokesperson Alex Rowley said: “The SNP has given up on rail, hitting long-suffering passengers with a double whammy of brutal service cuts and eye-watering fare hikes.“At a time when we need better trains to boost growth and reduce emissions, the SNP has instead consigned ScotRail to a spiral of decline.“The peak fares pilot boosted passenger numbers despite being undermined at every turn by the SNP’s cuts to services and lack of advertising. “The SNP’s neglect of our railways is economic and environmental vandalism and its decision to hike fares is an attack on workers. “It’s time to show some real ambition for our railways and use the powers of public ownership to deliver a reliable, affordable service.”Tory transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: “The double whammy of severely reduced timetables and increased fares is a world away from the bright new dawn Nicola Sturgeon promised passengers under nationalisation. “Instead of being affordable and reliable, commuters are faced with little to no trains at all or paying through the roof for them. “SNP ministers need to start delivering the rail service they promised over two years ago.”The Government’s decision to re-introduce peak time fares after
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