‘Scrooge’ ScotRail bosses have confirmed plans to end free rail travel for children.

The popular ‘Kids Go Free’ scheme, which enables an adult able to take up to two children for free on return journeys, is set to end in the New Year as part of a rip-off rail fare rise.

Each child will be charged £1 from next year, meaning an adult who travels once a week with two children will be more than £100 worse off after the scheme is cancelled.

South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Transport Spokesperson, Colin Smyth MSP, said:

“With Christmas less than a few weeks away it is sad to see bosses at ScotRail acting like Scrooge by taking free rail travel away from children across Scotland.

“The Kids Go Free scheme is a fantastic initiative which encourages families to use public transport and not be out of pocket for doing so.

“This rip-off fare rise will see passengers handing out even more money to a private company which is failing them time and time again.

“I hope ScotRail see sense and give our children the gift of free rail travel for another year this Christmas.”