PLANS to scrap peak rail fares have last week been announced as part of a £15million six-month pilot scheme.

The move was announced in last Thursday's, December 15, Scottish budget by deputy FM John Swinney in a bid to make travelling by train "more affordable and attractive."

Green MSP Mark Ruskell welcomed the announcement, part of what he called the greenest budget in the history of Scottish Parliament, with a record £2.2bn earmarked for climate investment.

The Mid Scotland and Fife representative explained the scrapping of peak rail fares next year and significant boosts in funding for biodiversity, national parks and funding for Marine Scotland, allied to investment in greener home energy and active travel were key indicators of the Scottish Government's commitment to net zero and the impact of the Scottish Green Party.

He said: "Despite the tough economic backdrop, this is without doubt the greenest budget in the history of the Scottish Parliament.

"With action to tackle poverty and cut pollution, this budget delivers for people in Clacks and beyond.

"By lowering the cost of travel, expanding free school meals, and ensuring a fairer and more progressive tax system, we are turning long standing Green policies into a reality.

"This budget is a key step on our journey towards the fairer, greener Scotland that I know we can be."

There could be substantial savings for commuters who rely on rail for travel.

An anytime day single costs £11.40 from Alloa to Glasgow, while the off-peak ticket costs £9.80 in comparison.

It is understood £15m will be spent to remove peak fares on Scotland's railway over an initial six month period, but detail on the scope, breadth and timings for the pilot is still to come.

Ross Greer, Scottish Greens finance spokesperson, added: "Getting more commuters to travel by bus or train fast tracks the kind of transformational action that will benefit people not only now, but also future generations for whom this becomes the norm.

"No peak fares, free bus travel for people under-22, and record new investment for walking, wheeling and cycling are just some of the reasons why this is the greenest budget in Scotland's history."

Also in the budget is more than £13.7billion for NHS boards and £2billion to establish and improve primary healthcare services in communities, as well as £1.7billion for social care and integration, paving the way for the National Care Service.

The budget also invests £428m to uprate devolved benefits in April 2023 by September's Consumer Price Index inflation level of 10.1 per cent, the Scottish Child Payment already having increased to £25 per week.

Mr Swinney added: "The Scottish Government, like governments all over the world, is faced with a difficult set of choices.

"Through this budget we are facing up to our responsibilities while being honest with the people of Scotland about the challenges which lie ahead."