Scottish Labour has called for train fares to be frozen amid warnings commuters could be hit by increases of almost £100 next year.
Party leader Kezia Dugdale has launched a campaign to stop the price hikes amid growing criticism of the ScotRail service.
Passengers have been beset by delays and cancellations in recent weeks. In one instance, a broken down train outside Waverley caused chaos across the network.
Pressure has been growing on embattled Transport Minister Humza Yousaf over the fiasco, with rail unions calling for him to resign.
Now, figures obtained by Scottish Labour suggest commuters could see the price of their season ticket rise substantially next year, despite having to endure “overcrowded and delayed trains”.
Regular travellers from Aberdeen to Inverness will see the price of their season ticket rise by £134, while annual tickets between Aberdeen and Dundee will rise by almost £92.
The cost of regularly travelling between Inverness and Thurso is due to rise by £93, while the price of taking the train between Aberdeen to Stonehaven will rise by almost £28.
The Scottish Government said they would look at “reducing costs” for passengers.
But Kezia Dugdale – who met with commuters yesterday – said passengers “deserve a break”.
She said: “Passengers are fed up with expensive, overcrowded and delayed trains.
“They deserve a break. That is why Scottish Labour believes passengers deserve a fare freeze in 2017.
“On some commuter routes, this could save passengers nearly £100 over the course of a year.
“Nicola Sturgeon has said she will consider our proposal.
“Rail fares are due to rise in January, so the SNP should intervene right now to give passengers the fare freeze they deserve.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “As the first minister stated in parliament on Thursday, we will consider any fully costed options that might enable us to reduce costs
to passengers while still delivering our ambitious infrastructure programme.
“We want to see a vibrant, growing industry with more seats and services than ever before. Ministers remain focussed on ensuring the best outcome for passengers – a franchise which delivers for Scotland.”
