FARE PLAY

Just the ticket for cash-strapped passengers as Swinney cancels peak-time train prices for another three months

- PAUL HUTCHEON

JOHN Swinney will give Scots a cost-of-living boost today by scrapping plans to bring back peak rail fares.

Peak prices roughly double the cost of normal fares - were dropped as a short-term move in October of last year.

They were set to return next month, forcing commuters to pay almost double for rail journeys at busy times.

But the Record can reveal the new First Minister will announce today that scheme will continue for another three months.

A source close to Swinney said last night: "The First Minister has listened to the extremely positive reception the peak fares removal pilot has had so far. Extending the pilot to September will allow more people to benefit from this bold policy and save hundreds of pounds on their commute, something Off-Peak during a cost-of-living crisis."

Swinney will unveil the plan at an event at Edinburgh's Waverley station this morning.

The new SNP leader has come under heavy pressure not to bring back the peak fares after becoming First Minister last week.