Rail passengers will be hit by a 3.8% hike in fares within weeks after an announcement by Transport Scotland.

Both peak and off-peak regulated prices will increase as part of what the public body describes as an attempt to recover lost revenues.

Ministers agreed to the proposal after “lengthy consideration.”

Scottish Labour MSP Neil Bibby blasted the rise, saying: “It is wildly reckless to hit passengers with this brutal rip-off fare rise while a cost of living crisis rages on.

“Scotland’s passengers will be forced to cough up extra months before the rest of the UK because of the SNP’s decision to plough ahead with this in January.

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