Iain Gray MSP and other local Labour politicians are backing Scottish Labour’s call for a 2017 rail fare freeze to help hard-pressed commuters.

Under the SNP, regulated rail fares, which include all season tickets and most types of single and return tickets, are due to rise by up to 1.9 per cent from January. Rail passengers who buy a monthly season ticket between North Berwick and Edinburgh each month could save nearly £40 next year with a fare freeze.

Mr Gray was joined by Councillor Willie Innes and Labour’s local candidates for the Preston, Seton, Gosford ward, Fiona O’Donnell and Brian Weddell, at Prestonpans rail station over the weekend to back the plan for a fare freeze.

Iain Gray MSP said:

“Rail passengers in East Lothian are fed up with overcrowded and delayed trains, and cancelled services. I’ve been pressing for action to tackle these problems through my #RailChange campaign, but ScotRail and SNP Ministers have still not delivered the change local rail users need.

“However, I believe passengers deserve a break. That is why I’m backing Scottish Labour’s plans for a fare freeze in 2017. This would go some way to acknowledging the problems commuters have faced by saving them money on their fares next year.

“Rail fares are due to rise in January, so the SNP should intervene right now to give passengers in East Lothian and across Scotland the fare freeze they deserve.”

Councillor Willine Innes added:

“Rail passengers in Prestonpans and other stations in East Lothian have had a torrid time on peak services for a long time now. I frequently hear complaints about overcrowded, delayed or cancelled services, while ticket machines also seem to be out of order much of the time.

“A fare freeze would be a small way of thanking loyal customers for their patience and giving them a break in 2017. I think this is the least passengers in East Lothian deserve after the poor service they have endured for so long.”