ScotRail fares to be frozen until at least March 2023, confirms Nicola Sturgeon

ScotRail fares will be frozen until at least March 2023, the First Minister announced as part of her Programme of Government plans.

The ScotRail franchise was brought into public ownership in April. The decision comes amid a severe cost-of-living squeeze.

Aslef union district organiser Kevin Lindsay said: “During this cost-of-living crisis, any measures are welcome, but we would like to have seen peak fares abolished, a reduction in fares for all, concessionary bus travel extended to rail. We need to run more trains with cheaper fares to encourage people out of cars and onto rail.”

Fares for ScotRail journeys have been frozen until at least March 2023. Picture: PA

Scottish Lib Dems leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Having already hiked fares 4 per cent this year, today’s promise amounts to a two-month delay on further price hikes. When you look at the investment going on across Europe, that’s embarrassing.

“It is clear that after more than 15 years in power, this is a Government that lacks the humility, the creativity and ambition necessary to solve the problems the people of Scotland currently face.”

The decision to freeze fares comes after Scottish Labour last month renewed its demand for the move after analysis confirmed commuters face potentially paying up to £200 more for a season ticket.

Scottish Labour’s transport spokesperson Neil Bibby said at that point: “These rip-off rail hikes are the last thing we need when we are recovering from the pandemic and working towards net-zero.

“People are still only taking half as many train journeys as before. We should be pulling out all the stops to get things back on track.”