Strathclyde Partnership for Transport slash rail fare disccount

May 10 2012

RAIL fare discounts for the elderly and disabled have been slashed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

To save money, they have eliminated the concessionary travel scheme on ScotRail services between 4.30pm and 6pm during the week. The move comes into force on May 20 and joins existing restrictions that mean price reductions are unavailable before 9am.

One southside resident told The Glaswegian the “penny-pinching” move would have a big effect on him. The 69-year-old said: “I like to travel to the city centre most days to visit the library then come home to have dinner with my granddaughters.

“To keep doing that will cost me hundreds extra a year, and I have a fixed income.”

SPT say 83 per cent of concessionary travel is outside the daily commuting period and that despite a six per cent rise in rail prices, concessionary prices will remain the same.

Subway travellers, those with proof of a hospital appointment, holders of a disabled concession card, those who hold a valid ferry card or those travelling to and from Maybole, Girvan and Barrhill on direct services are unaffected.