It's only natural that politicians faced with a growing government deficit like that in Scotland will seek out savings wherever they can be found, so the decision to cancel the suspension of peak fares across the ScotRail network makes perfect sense in that context.

It has also, however, been billed as a retrograde tax on workers and there is merit in this argument as well. Some of those with no say about when and where they work are facing huge hikes in commuter fees if they choose or have no alternative but to continue travelling by train from September 28.

For example, a peak return ticket from Glasgow to Edinburgh is set to nearly double to £31.40, while a train from Glasgow to Dundee will cost £47.80. An anytime return from Barrhead to Glasgow will jump from £4.80 to £7.20.

READ MORE: ScotRail peak fares to be brought back in September

It comes as an ongoing train driver pay dispute continues to create disruption across the ScotRail network despite the introduction of temporary timetable to cut down on last-minute cancellations. The emergency timetable has cut back on the volume of services, particularly later in the evenings, which has left customers scrambling for a way to get home after major music and sporting events. 

From a marketing perspective it's a PR nightmare - paying a lot more for substantially less. This is not a recipe for growth and it will be interesting to see whether passenger numbers give up all of the gains achieved during the past 11 months when peak fares were abolished.

The pilot project to scrap peak fares has cost about £40 million in taxpayer money but is said to have enjoyed "limited" success with passenger levels increasing to a maximum of around 6.8%. According to Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, this needed to hit 10% for the policy to be self-financing.

READ MORE: 'Skeletal': ScotRail reduces inner-city service to once every two hours

“The pilot will have been welcome in saving many passengers hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds during the cost-of-living crisis, but this level of subsidy cannot continue in the current financial climate on that measure alone," she said.

For the “significant minority of people who cannot choose when they travel to and from work" who "might find the return to peak fares challenging", Ms Hyslop said ScotRail will discount all season tickets by 20% for 12 months, increase the number of journeys offered on its Flexipass tickets, and usher in the return of super-off peak fares.

This is certainly a more confusing system than the straightforward abolition of peak fares, while those who successfully navigate it will only recoup part of the savings they previously enjoyed.