Alexander says Scotrail fares unfair for Nairn and Badenoch (Aberdeen North Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen North Liberal Democrats <anne.carmichael@btinternet.com>

Alexander says Scotrail fares unfair for Nairn and Badenoch

August 11, 2009 12:46 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

MP Danny Alexander is challenging Scotrail over a fare structure which makes it cheaper for people in Nairn to travel to Aberdeen via Inverness - even though the town is 15 miles closer to their destination.

The same anomaly makes it cheaper for Kingussie and Newtonmore residents to travel to Edinburgh or Glasgow via Aviemore. Meanwhile, travellers from Carrbridge can save £9.20 on a return trip to the central belt by purchasing a single to Aviemore for £2.90 and a second 'Advance Single' ticket for £10 - even though they remain on the same train.Danny Alexander MP

'Advance Single' tickets are only available in advance, and are priced at £15 for journeys from Inverness to Aberdeen, and just £10 from Inverness or Aviemore to Edinburgh or Glasgow. The same ticket from Nairn to Aberdeen costs £25, while passengers travelling from other Badenoch & Strathspey stations must pay £17.50 for the trip south - even when the journey involved is shorter.

Commenting, Danny Alexander said:

"The position which currently exists for many rail passengers in the Highlands is plainly absurd.

"Scotrail customers could hardly be blamed if they purchased cheap seats from Inverness or Aviemore and attempted to board at intermediate stations - but technically that is not allowed by Scotrail's terms and conditions.

"The fare structure for our railways is frustrating at the best of times, but it seems absolutely clear that fares from one point on a line to the other should be matched or bettered from stations in between. Passengers should not need to check whether they can save money by adding imaginary breaks in their journey at stations on the route.

"Apart from giving a poor deal to unwary travellers, the present situation risks wasting capacity on the rail network as people either make bizarre trips to obtain a discount or bend the rules by booking seats they won't use. Some of the stretches of line affected are frequently close to capacity.

"I am asking First Scotrail to take immediate action to make the lower 'Advance Single' fare available at all affected stations in the Highlands."