Calls for train ‘tax’ on the working man and woman to be scrapped for good
Rail unions in Scotland have made a joint call for peak-time fares to be permanently scrapped.
Since October, a pilot scheme has been running, which has made fares the same at all times of the day.
The scheme was due to end in the spring, but the Scottish Government extended it until 28 June.
Michael Hogg, the head of the RMT Union, said: “The benefits are significant for the working man and working woman, we don’t see the peak fares as being right, we see the peak fares as being a tax on the working people.
“The fact that we have this trial in place has saved the working man and woman a significant amount of money, and going forward, we want to see the peak fares scrapped in its entirety.
“It makes absolute sense to keep this scheme in place if ScotRail and the Scottish Government are serious about keeping people travelling by public transport.”
Commuters in Glasgow are also happy to see the peak time fares taken away for good.
Blue Bain, a 23-year-old train user from Glasgow, said: “I think that peak fares should be scrapped, I believe it is an outdated system and is much better as it stands now for me getting into work and back.”
Another commuter said: “This will benefit people who travel inconsistently and will take away the stress of trying to be at the train station for a certain time.”
The pilot scheme has been a success for train users and it is only a matter of time before we find out the final decision made by ScotRail and the Scottish Government.
