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

Regulated rail fares increase in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI). As a result, a season ticket fare between Stranraer and Glasgow will rise by £119 in January to £4,399. Season ticket fares between Stranraer and Ayr will increase by £101 to £3,709.

Colin Smyth MSP thinks it is simply unfair that passengers from Stranraer 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 Stranraer 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 between from Stranraer to Glasgow facing a season ticket rise of £119 and passengers to Ayr facing a rise of £101.

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.”