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Calls for a permanent reduction on Stranraer rail fares

MPs are calling for reduced rail fares from Stranraer to become permanent, saying it is important for the future of Stranraer.

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Calls for reduced Stranraer rail fares to become permanent

MPs are calling for reduced rail fares from Stranraer to become permanent, saying it is important for the future of Stranraer.

A temporary reduction in rail fares from Stranraer comes into place from August 1. Local Labour politicians have written to Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure & Capital Investment, asking him to make the reduction permanent.

"A two month reduction in rail fares simply isn’t long enough. The SNP Government should be bringing down the cost of transport to Stranraer permanently, not just for eight weeks. What are people supposed to do when tickets go back to their sky high normal price after September? To attract regular use, as well as the business investment we need to regenerate the area, the fares must come down permanently. Stranraer is lacking a long term strategy and rather than fix that, the Scottish Government is running a temporary promotion."

– Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown

It was announced in May that fares on the Stranraer to Glasgow and Stranraer to Ayr routes would be reduced for a two month period during August and September.

“The two main reasons more people don’t get the train from Stranraer is the high price and the poor timetable. The temporary cut in fares only deals with part of the problem for a couple of months. The trains still won’t link up with the ferries or run at convenient times for many local people."

– Stranraer and North Rhins councillor Marion McCutcheon
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