Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-14405, in the name of Graham Simpson, on ending peak rail fares on ScotRail trains. I ask members who wis...

Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Just before Parliament returned from the summer recess, Fiona Hyslop announced that peak fares will be returning to Scotland’s railways. There was no debate—...

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport (Fiona Hyslop) SNP

I point the member, who I am sure is a regular rail user, to the position in his Central Scotland region. Take a rail journey from Airdrie to Edinburgh. If p...

Graham Simpson Con

My fare from East Kilbride to Edinburgh will rocket by 83.8 per cent. That is not a saving. In March, the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Fir...

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) SNP

It is a pity that the off-peak fares pilot did not create the greater patronage that was expected to cover the costs. Did Mr Simpson take full advantage of ...

Graham Simpson Con

I regularly use the train, and my staff use the train all the time. It is just going to become more expensive for them now. That is a real shame, and Mr Stew...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Fiona Hyslop, the cabinet secretary, to speak to and move amendment S6M-14405.3. 16:11

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport (Fiona Hyslop) SNP

Last October, we introduced the ScotRail peak fares removal pilot, supported by £40 million in Government funding. It was a bold and pioneering initiative, w...

Graham Simpson Con

When the cabinet secretary announced the decision, she admitted that, in some cases, people had saved thousands of pounds through the pilot. Does she agree, ...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

Although it saved many passengers hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of pounds during the period, it primarily benefited existing train passengers and th...

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Fiona Hyslop SNP

I am sorry, but I cannot give way, as I have limited time. I wanted the pilot to succeed, and I am disappointed that it did not. The moderate increase in pa...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Alex Rowley to speak to and move amendment S6M-14405.2. 16:16

Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

First, I want to highlight the difference in approach between the Scottish National Party and Scottish Labour on the issue of peak rail fares. The SNP’s view...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

Will the member give way? It is an important point.

Alex Rowley Lab

No. I am sorry, but I have only a few minutes left. During that unprecedented time, rail use increased by 6.8 per cent, which was incredible, given all that...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Mr Rowley, you are over your time.

Alex Rowley Lab

I support the motion. I move amendment S6M-14405.2, to insert at end: “, and agrees that making public transport more accessible, affordable and reliable i...

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Green

I welcome the fact that the Tories have chosen the cream of the crop of Scottish Green policies to champion in the chamber. Whether that is just blatant oppo...

Finlay Carson Con

Will the member give way?

Mark Ruskell Green

Is there time in hand, Presiding Officer?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

There is no time in hand. It is up to the member whether to take an intervention.

Mark Ruskell Green

I need to progress. I am sorry. Ticket prices for the most popular Edinburgh to Glasgow route will more than double, from £14.90 to a staggering £31.40. Tha...

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

I welcome the opportunity to speak on behalf of Scottish Liberal Democrats this afternoon. We will support the motion and the Labour amendment, but we will n...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

There were four campaigns during the pilot, with 4 million views on pay television and a radio podcast. People in my town received an A3 fold-out print. Ther...

Beatrice Wishart LD

The RMT briefing states that it believes that the methodology that the Scottish Government used to evaluate the trial did not look at demand at peak time, wh...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. Back benchers’ speeches should be of up to four minutes. There is no time in hand. 16:29

Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con) Con

Despite his authoritarian misrule, Benito Mussolini is credited with making Italy’s trains run on time. In fact, a look back in time reveals that he did not,...

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (SNP) SNP

Shameful!

Craig Hoy Con

—smiling for photographers when she proudly opened East Linton station, which has been warmly welcomed and is much needed by the community.