Helensburgh's MSP has hit out at the decision to re-introduce peak fares for ScotRail services, calling the move 'a slap in the face' for commuters.

The higher rates of travel are due to be reinstated on September 27, following an announcement on Tuesday that the fares which were started on a 'trial basis' are to be discontinued.

The one-year pilot scheme cost around £40 million to introduce, and saved some customers thousands of pounds.

Train operators ScotRail also introduced a restricted 'temporary' timetable last month as the company have been locked in an ongoing pay dispute with staff.

Jackie Baillie says commuters will now have to pay more for what she calls an 'unreliable' service.

She said: “The return to peak rail fares is a slap in the face for hard-pressed commuters at a time when they are already up against it.

“They will now be paying more for unreliable services. I know from my constituency mailbag that the reliability of train services in the area is a massive issue for people.

“The Scottish Government’s pledge to improve public transport has been broken, like so many of their other pledges, and this reintroduction of peak time fares signals just that.

“People cannot be expected to transition from cars to public transport to help meet net-zero targets when it is unsafe, costly and unreliable and the Scottish Government has failed to remedy that.”

The Scottish Government said a 12-month discount on all ScotRail season tickets will be offered, the terms of flexipasses will be amended, and 'super off peak' tickets will be introduced.