Scottish Government accused of 'kicking the can down the road' on public transport fares review

dailyrecord.co.uk:

SNP and Green ministers have been urged to speed up a review of public transport fares.The Scottish Government is currently examining the price of travelling by train, bus and ferry across the country as it tries to boost passenger numbers.The number of Scots using public transport plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic with some services axed as a result.A review of transport fares was a key part of the Bute House agreement between the SNP and Greens in 2021 which saw the two parties agree a powersharing deal.But the Scottish Lib Dems have today hit out after discovering the Fare Fair Review will not be completed until the end of this year.MSP Beatrice Wishart criticised the Scottish Government for employing four transport ministers in just two years while failing to reduce fares.Fiona Hyslop became the latest transport minister last month following the resignation of Kevin Stewart Wishart said: "If we want to convince people to rely on public transport, we need a system that is cheap, effective and well joined up."Since the fare fair reviews was announced there have been four transport ministers, two rail fare hikes by government-owned ScotRail and bus companies have hiked their fares as much as 15 per cent."How many transport ministers does it take to conduct a review of fares?"There’s a whole host of issues awaiting action including lifeline ferry services which should be designed and operated to meet the needs of those who rely on them."We have set out a series of proposals to help those travelling by rail, bus and ferry but ministers keep on coming up with reasons to kick the can down the road."In a written response to Beatrice, Hyslop said: "The Fair Fares Review is progressing well, with work underway with