McLeod highlights permanent rail fares cut

 

Anytime fare cut by 48% says MSP

 

SNP MSP for the South of Scotland Dr Aileen McLeod today (Tuesday) highlighted the results of the Scottish Government’s rail fares restructuring for fares between Stranraer and Glasgow following Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visiting the town to chair a meeting of the Stranraer task force.

 

Dr McLeod had already sought clarification of the implications of the changes for the route from Transport Minister Keith Brown. The price of an anytime return will be cut from £44.80 to £23.00 – a reduction of 48%.

 

Dr McLeod commented:

 

“I was delighted to welcome Nicola Sturgeon to Stranraer yesterday and also to have confirmation from her of the implications of the Scottish Government’s new rail fares pricing structure for journeys between Stranraer and Glasgow.

 

“With anytime returns cut by a massive 48%, this is a good news story for Stranraer and for the future of the Stranraer-Ayr line.

 

“Of course the next big challenge is to attract two-way traffic onto the line. As well as people from Stranraer visiting Ayr and Glasgow much more cheaply, we need to attract many more people to Stranraer as a destination in its own right.

 

“That is why investing in Stranraer’s waterfront and town centre to create a marine leisure destination is the right thing to do, because the money those visitors spend will help support more local businesses and create more local employment.

 

“Many communities in Scotland are looking towards marine leisure as part of their response to the economic climate and how they diversify for the future, but none are as ideally located as Stranraer is. There is a huge prize to be had in these developments which I believe will make a real difference to Stranraer’s future.

 

“Today’s confirmation of these large permanent reductions in the rail fares is another important piece of the jigsaw in making Stranraer a successful and prosperous town. Working together we can complete the picture and deliver regeneration for Stranraer.”