Local Labour MSP Colin Smyth has hit out at the rip-off rail fare rise that will hit passengers from Lockerbie Train Station

Regulated rail fares increase in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI). As a result, a season ticket fare between Lockerbie and Edinburgh will increase by £147, one of the highest rises in the country. A season ticket between Lockerbie and Edinburgh will cost £5,399 from January 2020.

A season ticket between Lockerbie and Glasgow will rise by £86 to £3,178.

Colin Smyth MSP thinks it is simply unfair that passengers using Lockerbie Train Station are burdened with these rip-off rail fares when passengers are constantly facing delays, cancellations and overcrowding.

Colin Smyth said, “These rail fare rises are unwanted, unwelcome and unnecessary. It is simply unfair that commuters from Lockerbie Train Station are being burdened with these rip-off rail fares for less than satisfactory services.

The cost of rail fares being paid by passengers is simply unacceptable with passengers commuting to Edinburgh facing an £147 annual fare increase.

Scottish Labour is clear. It’s high time working people stopped having to pay such excessive fares to simply line the pockets of private companies. Only Labour is fighting for a publicly owned railway which will serve the many, not just the few.”