First ScotRail ticket prices will increase by an average of 4.3%

First ScotRail has announced an average rise of 4.3%, which is over and above increases of up to 10% on open return tickets introduced in August.

Virgin Trains' west coast route fares are to go up by 6.6% - the highest unregulated rise among train companies.

First ScotRail said there will be no changes to fares within the Strathclyde area. Virgin Trains said its increase applies mainly to business travel.

The prices of regulated fares, such as saver tickets and season tickets, are put up annually to a formula based on the retail price index, plus 1%.

However, in Scotland many travellers have already faced increases due to a fares restructuring by First ScotRail over the summer.

The company had said it needed to ease congestion at its busiest times while providing cheaper off-peak travel. Some saver tickets were reduced by almost 20%.

You've got to question whether the significant eye-watering increases above the rate of inflation are going to stifle demand for these services Robert Samson Passenger Focus

Peter Williams, First ScotRail's commercial director, said: "Our value for money strategy continues.

"The average fare increase over the last 15 months was limited to 4.5% - despite the huge rises we have faced in diesel and electricity costs."

Robert Samson, of the watchdog Passenger Focus, said passengers would be unhappy with above inflation rises coming on top of the summer announcements.

Major upgrade

"Historically fares in Scotland have only increased once a year on January," he said.

"In the summer First ScotRail had a fare restructuring which introduced a new fare - the standard open return, which is 10% dearer than the saver ticket on some routes.

"And with Tuesday's announcement of a 4.3% rise, some passengers are going to have a 15% increase in little over four months."

He said Virgin Trains had introduced a major upgrade of the West Coast Main Line but criticised its fare rise of 6.6%.

"You've got to question whether the significant eye-watering increases above the rate of inflation are going to stifle demand for these services," said Mr Samson.