Iain Gray MSP and East Lothian Labour campaigners were at Prestonpans rail station this morning to make the case for a 2017 rail fare freeze to give hard-pressed commuters a break.

Mr Gray joined Labour’s Preston, Seton, Gosford ward candidates, Fiona O’Donnell and Brian Weddell, at the station to give commuters ticket style leaflets promoting Labour’s call for a freeze on all ScotRail fares in 2017.

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 could save nearly £40 next year with a fare freeze.

Iain Gray MSP said:

“Local passengers have experienced overcrowding, delays and cancellations for too long now and deserve a break. Scottish Labour’s plan for a fare freeze in 2017 would be a small way of 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 freeze fares. I hope the Scottish Government will see sense and give passengers in East Lothian and across Scotland the fare freeze they deserve.”

You can add your support to Scottish Labour’s petition calling for a fare freeze at www.scottishlabour.org.uk