A DECISION by Scotland’s government to bring back peak rail fares next month will be “a disaster for Scottish workers, the Scottish economy and the environment,” Aslef warned today. 

The train drivers’ union’s executive council member Jim Baxter blasted the “short-sighted” decision to discontinue the year-long pilot scheme, saying that the incentive for people to switch from road to rail travel would have taken years of investment.

He said: “We are really angry and beyond disappointed to hear that the Scottish government has scrapped the peak fares [ban] and refused to make it permanent. 

“To assess this in less than a year is short sighted and speaks to a government that is not serious about meeting its own climate targets. 

“We need a government that invests in transport in  the long term and looks after the environment and the economy at the same time rather than one that jumps from one half-baked plan to another with no long term strategy.” 

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The pilot primarily benefited existing train passengers and those with medium to higher incomes.

“Although passenger levels increased to a maximum of around 6.8 per cent, it would require a 10 per cent increase in passenger numbers for the policy to be self-financing.”

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Alex Rowley said he was “astonished” that the SNP government has decided to reinstate peak fare pricing on Scotland’s rail services next month “at a time of chaos for commuters.”

“That there has been a 6.8 per cent increase in rail users during the period of the peak fare suspension is nothing short of incredible when you consider the impact the SNP’s mismanagement has had on rail services,” he added.