The Scottish Government’s scheme to subsidise ScotRail fares is coming to an end after 12 months of no peak fares, and passenger numbers only increasing by 6.8%, rather than the 10% the government aimed for. The Herald spoke with commuters at Glasgow Queen Street on Tuesday about the end to the scheme.
Elisabeth Dufton, 36, from Dunblane
“I didn’t know!” was the reaction from Elisabeth, despite being a regular commuter. “I use the train regularly, I think it’s essential infrastructure”. Speaking on the difference in price that the scheme caused: “I think it’s a positive thing if it reduces the price by that much”, and that the jump in ticket price will put trains in Scotland “entirely out of peoples reach.” Despite the hefty £40 million bill that the Scottish Government invested to reduce the ticket prices, she told us: “I think it’s worth it if it gets people on the trains”.
Maggie Buchanan, 38, Greenock
On the other hand, Maggie was aware that the subsidised train fares were coming to an end, expressing: “I think the prices should all be the same, because of the cost of living.” Speaking on the decision, she criticised the Scottish Government’s decision in contrast to their encouragement for Scots to make more use of public transport. “If they’re trying to encourage us to use public transport, then it should at least be affordable”. Not a regular train passenger, Maggie puts a lack of commuters choosing the train on the price of fares. “I usually take the bus, but with the train the price can put you off”.
Uzair Mohammad, 18, Glasgow
Also opting for buses over trains, Uzair expressed that even with the National Entitlement Card price reduction, “they (ScotRail) need to bring the trains down”. He added: “I would rather take the coach, or if you can drive, petrol might be cheaper from here to Edinburgh”. Expressing concern for commuting students: “I know a lot of students I know who go to Edinburgh from here are really going to be affected.”
Bruce McIntyre, 47, Glasgow
Not everyone will be feeling the pinch however, with Bruce expressing that as his commute isn’t as long as others, only being on the train into Queen Street for two stops, “It’s still within reach for me, but for other people there’s going to be a problem”. Having lived in Glasgow for five years, originally from South Africa, he added: “I mean to be fair, I’m enjoying public transport, I’ve never had it before”. He also explained that affordable trains could still be achieved: “I was on a monthly before COVID, then the Flexi pass, there’s always a way to be economical”. He was optimistic about the Scottish Government’s success, advocating; “six per cent, that’s still something. Six per cent when they wanted ten, that’s still sixty percent of what they wanted”.
June Nimmo, Glasgow
June was “obviously not happy it’s (the train fares) going up”, but also expressed understanding with the Scottish Government, telling us the policy should be kept only if “the Scottish Government can afford the subsidy”.
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June also added that whilst the reduced fares are a good thing, they aren’t the main priority for many Scots. “It wouldn’t be the top of my list of things, if it meant taking away from things like kids libraries and valuable resources like that, things that are closer to my heart, I’d be willing to pay the extra”.
Aodhan Gallagher, 26, Glasgow
This understanding wasn’t shared with all commuters, however. Reacting to the expected change in prices, he exclaimed: “it’s a joke”, and that the £40 million investment was “not worth it”. “It’s also just how early they stop, I was in Edinburgh for The Fringe and the last train was at like 10pm.” In response to the failure to increase passengers by 10%, he added: “Travel is just so difficult now. Especially for younger people, you can end up stranded in town, so people aren’t going out.”
The reintroduction of peak-time fares starts on the 27th of September.
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