SPT ZoneCard Price Rises

That the Parliament considers that the ZoneCard price rises proposed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) are excessive and will act as a barrier to the use of public transport; believes that the price increases far outstrip inflation over the period since the last price review; further believes that the increase is inconsistent with the goal of the Scottish Government’s Fair Fares Review to “making our public transport system more accessible, available and affordable”; notes reports that the possible restoration of peak-time rail fares has been “priced in” to SPT plans, and therefore calls on the Scottish Government to commit to ending peak rail fares permanently; is concerned over the price setting process undertaken by the ZoneCard Forum and what it sees as the lack of transparency and public accountability, and calls, therefore, for the ZoneCard Forum to act with greater transparency and to make a record of its meetings available for scrutiny.