TRAIN passengers in Fife have been hit with a 4.8 per cent rise in ticket prices.

ScotRail this week increased fares across the country after a sixth-month freeze came to an end in June.

The rise excludes season and flexi tickets, which will remain at current prices in an effort to encourage regular usage of rail services.

The increase has been slammed by Fife Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Councillor James Calder, who has called for the Scottish Government to freeze rail fares for at least the remainder of the year, rather than hitting commuters and travellers in Fife with a price hike.

“The ScotRail fare rises are bleak news for rail users in Fife," he said. "I am calling for fares to be frozen until at least the end of the year, providing much-needed respite for hardworking commuters and everyone travelling around Fife during these trying times.

“The SNP/Green Government’s response to the cost-of-living crisis has been abject. Control of rail fares is within their hands yet rail users are seeing price increases.

“The short-lived fare freeze lasted just six months, a flagship sale cut the price of fewer than one per cent of tickets sold, and we are still months away from even a trial of the long-promised removal of peak fares.

“Fife Liberal Democrats will offer a public transport system that works for all communities, for all ages, and for the climate.

"We want to see fares cut, new options for two/three-day a week season tickets and for the government to work with Fife to explore new lines, particularly the Dunfermline to Alloa route and at St Andrews.”

The Scottish Government, which runs the rail service, said in June that the rise was lower than those elsewhere in the UK, where ticket prices have risen by almost six per cent in some areas.

A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said: “For over a decade the Scottish Government has kept fares increases down by ensuring they are in line with RPI, or even lower in the case of off-peak fares.

“Fares have now been frozen for almost 18 months, however, that is no longer sustainable. We know that any increase is unwelcome for passengers, therefore we have kept the rise as low as possible to maintain the attractiveness and affordability of rail as a travel option.

“Work continues to deliver a ScotRail peak fares removal pilot from October this year, alongside wider work on our Fair Fares review.”