MP Lesley Laird this week has said that rail users on the Fife Circle deserve a better service if they are to pay more for their ticket.

The MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath made her point commenting on news that Fife fares will rise by 2.8% January 2 next year.

That means increased fares for the users of Cardenden, Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath stations, but he fears they will not see a better standard of service.

Ms Laird said: “The rail services on the Fife Circle have been anything but great over the last 12 months and Fifers are now going to be asked to pay even more.

“I have campaigned on the longstanding and unjust issue, that users on the Fife Circle pay two, and sometimes three times more for their rail travel and Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson, and his predecessors have deliberately chosen to ignore this situation."

She added: “The Scottish Government say they have a strategy of inclusive growth but by continuing to allow a postcode lottery when it comes to rail fares these are simply warm words and cold comfort for Fifers when this ongoing fare injustice is entirely within Michael Matheson’s gift to fix now.

“If Mr Matheson is truly serious about reducing inequality then Fife rail fares should be reduced.

“The Scottish Government cannot continue to talk about fairness yet all the while pump up Abellio’s profits at Fife commuters’ expense.”

Michael Matheson has said about fares: "The Scottish Government recognises that fares increases are unwelcome. That is why we have taken action to minimise these: regulated ScotRail peak fares increases are capped at the level of the Retail Price Index (RPI) and regulated off-peak fares at one per cent lower than inflation.

"This means, in Scotland, average fares increases are lower than England and Wales where the UK Government applies an increase equivalent to RPI to all regulated fares. ScotRail's Price Promise Scheme also ensures passengers have access to information on best value fares and refunds are issued where a cheaper alternative can be found".