Scotland’s transport minister has said she is "very sympathetic" to scrapping peak rail fares for passengers.
Jenny Gilruth said she is "not against" axing the price premium, but warned any move had to be “affordable” for the Government.
Transport Scotland is undertaking a review of public transport fares as part of the response to the cost of living crisis.
Trade unions and opposition MSPs believe one change should be the abolition of a two-tier rail fare system that clobbers people who travel before 9.30am.
Speaking at a fringe event at SNP conference in Aberdeen, Gilruth said: "I think the biggest challenge we face in relation to rail in Scotland just now is in relation to affordability.
“I think some people can't afford to travel by rail. I know that's the case. Bus is far more affordable.”
She was also asked if she believed peak fares are unjust and whether she would like to scrap them.
She said: “I’m very sympathetic to this ask. I think the unions are very supportive.
“I think the way in which ticketing operates just now reflects somewhat outdated patterns of working that don’t exist after the pandemic and I don’t think our system of operating just now reflects that.
“What I would say to people is that railways were subsidised to such an extent during the pandemic and we need to make sure it is affordable for the Government.
“So I’m not against it in principle but we need to look at where that money comes from to fund that.”
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Peak-time train fares are an unfair tax on workers that should be scrapped by the Scottish Government.
“Making rail travel more affordable is an urgent action that the Scottish Government could take to help people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and meet our legal obligations on climate change.”
ASLEF, the union representing train drivers, also backs the scrapping of peak fares.
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