SMITH TAKES FIGHT FOR FAIRER FIFE RAIL FARES TO PARLIAMENT

10.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 1st Oct 2008

Iain Smith, MSP for North East Fife, has today tabled a motion at Holyrood urging cross party support for the Liberal Democrat "Fife fares, not fair" campaign. The campaign was launched recently by Iain Smith, North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell, Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg, Scottish Leader Tavish Scott, and Dunfermline MP Willie Rennie.

The motion highlights the disproportionate cost of train fares from Fife compared to other parts of Scotland. The Liberal Democrats, having launched a petition that has the support of hundreds of Fife commuters, have now taken their fight to the Scottish Parliament.

Iain commented:

"I have today tabled a motion in Parliament calling on all parties to unite behind the Liberal Democrat campaign to reduce rail fares in Fife. In my constituency some journeys cost £90 a month more than the equivalent outside of Fife. This kind of price penalty is repeated across the Kingdom. The Fife Liberal Democrat team are united behind this campaign and other parties should follow suit."

"The campaign to reverse the price penalty faced by Fifers on our rail network has stepped up a gear today. When I speak to commuters they are visibly outraged by train fares across the Kingdom. With the support of Liberal Democrat MSPs, I will continue to fight until Fife train fares are fair."

Ends.

Notes to editors:

Full text of the motion tabled by Iain Smith MSP as follows:

"That the Parliament notes with concern that the cost of travelling by train to and from Fife is often disproportionately more than the cost of trains journeys in other parts of Scotland; affirms its continued commitment to the promotion of environmentally friendly modes of transport and supports the "Fife fares, not fair" campaign for cheaper train travel."

It is supported by Tavish Scott, Liam MacArthur, Jim Tolson, Mike Rumbles, Ross Finnie and Jeremy Purvis.

Examples of journeys with similar distance and time:

In North East Fife

Cupar to Edinburgh 42.9miles 1h6min £240.40 per month

Larbert to Edinburgh 39.6miles 53min £149.40 per month

PRICE PENALTY FOR FIFERS = £91 per month

In Central Fife

Markinch to Edinburgh 32.9miles 52min £225.50 per month

Stirling to Edinburgh 43.4miles 56min £172.10 per month

PRICE PENALTY FOR FIFERS = £53.40 per month

In Dunfermline

Dunfermline to Edinburgh 18.5miles 39min £120.60 per month

Livingston to Edinburgh 20.2miles 42min £103.30 per month

PRICE PENALTY FOR FIFERS = £17.30 per month