JOHN Swinney has said the £40 million cost of scrapping peak rail fares in Scotland will be financially sustainable, with the policy encouraging people to switch from cars to trains.
On Monday, peak rail fares were scrapped on Scotland’s train network.
The Scottish Government announced the move earlier this year after previously refusing to do so following a year-long pilot, citing a lack of uptake.
The decision means commuters will pay less to travel in the mornings or evenings, with the price of a return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh dropping from £32.60 during peak times to £16.80.
Last year, Swinney said that financial sustainability was the reason for the pilot scheme coming to an end.
On Monday morning, Swinney and his Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop met with ScotRail apprentices at Edinburgh Waverley station, along with the operator’s managing director Joanne Maguire.
He told the PA news agency: “This is financially sustainable because it’s an investment in the rail network and it’s an investment in the people of Scotland.
“People in Scotland simply travelling from Edinburgh to Glasgow on a daily basis will see their travel costs fall by almost 50%. That’s a massive saving when people are struggling financially.
“But it’s also because of the effective management of public finances that the SNP government is able to afford such a measure. ”
Swinney said he expected the annual cost to be between £40 million to £45 million each year and lead to a “huge saving” for individuals.
He said this would help people to move “from their cars onto trains”, which would provide environmental benefits.
The First Minister has earlier described Monday as a “historic moment” for Scotland’s railways.
ScotRail managing director Joanne Maguire said travel on Scotland’s railways will now be “simpler, more flexible and provide better value for money”.
She added: “This groundbreaking change to fares provides us with a significant opportunity to drive rail journeys, getting hundreds of thousands of people out of their cars and on to rail.”
The Scottish Greens – who pushed for the move while in Government – said the change is a “big step in the right direction”.
Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: “Peak rail fares have always been a deeply unfair tax on people who have no say over when they need to travel, and I am delighted that we are finally rid of them.
“I’m glad that the Scottish Government has finally listened to the Greens, the trade unions and the rail users who were responsible for securing the initial pilot.
“This will not fully address the eyewatering cost of getting the train, but it is a big step in the right direction. All across Scotland there are workers, students and regular commuters who will save hundreds of pounds every year.
“If we are to build a railway for the 21st century then it must be available, accessible and affordable for all.”
Trade union Aslef – which represents train drivers – welcomed the end of peak fares but said more should be done to bring down ticket prices.
Aslef Scottish organiser Kevin Lindsay said: “The permanent scrapping of peak fares is a victory for rail passengers, the environment, our wider economy and the future wellbeing of Scotland’s rail industry.
“It is also a victory for Aslef and our relentless campaigning to end peak fares.
“We are pleased that the Government finally saw sense and resolved to support the scrapping of peak fares, ending the de-facto extra tax on workers and making rail more affordable for them and other passengers when travelling during so-called peak times.
“We congratulate them for taking this step and listening to us and others to make it happen.
“So while today is a victory and good news for passengers, more could and should be done to cut fares further and ensure Scotland’s rail services are as affordable and accessible as possible.
“We urge the Scottish Government to keep on working to this end.”
