South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has hit out at the rail fare rise that will hit passengers across Ayrshire

Regulated rail fares increase in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI). The MSP has described the resulting rise in rail tickets as “unfair” when passengers are constantly facing delays, cancellations and overcrowding.

Mr Smyth said: “These rail fare rises are unwanted, unwelcome and unnecessary. It is simply unfair that commuters across Ayrshire are being burdened with these rip-off rail fares for less than satisfactory services.

“The cost of rail fares being paid by passengers is simply unacceptable with passengers commuting between Ayr and Glasgow are facing a season ticket rise of £70 and passengers between Kilmarnock and Glasgow face a rise of £48.

“Scottish Labour is clear. It’s high time working people stopped having to pay such excessive fares to simply line the pockets of private companies. Only Labour is fighting for a publicly owned railway which will serve the many, not just the few.”