Rail passengers using Lockerbie station are set to be hit with a “double whammy”.
Customers face a price hike when fares in England are increased by nearly six per cent in March.
And they will miss out on the benefits of ScotRail’s plans to scrap peak time fares as Lockerbie is not included.
The company owns the station but doesn’t operate any services from the transport hub.
MSP Colin Smyth is unhappy that Lockerbie station users are suffering yet again.
He said: “Rail passengers travelling from Lockerbie are facing a double whammy of rising costs this spring – sky rocketing rail fares due to the UK Government increasing fares in England while, at the same time, they won’t benefit from the plans to scrap peak time travel in Scotland because that is focused only on ScotRail services by the Scottish Government.
“People across the country are facing a cost of living crisis and once again passengers from Lockerbie are being treated as second class.
“Passengers are already dealing with near constant delays and short term cancellations and, from the spring, costs will go through the roof.”
Lockerbie services are provided by Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express through the two cross border franchises regulated by the UK Government.
Both have been criticised for their poor performance and lack of services by Mr Smyth.
TransPennine cancels trains on an almost daily basis and timetable changes have reduced options for passengers.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament last year he raised complaints about the service and called for TransPennine to be replaced.
Mr Smyth said: “This is the worst train service in Britain and there is a fair bit of competition for that title.”
Rail fares set by the UK Government in England, including the two franchises, will rise by up to 5.9 per cent in March.
But Lockerbie passengers will not benefit as the funding only goes to those services regulated by the Scottish Government which excludes TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast.
