TRAIN passengers across Inverclyde are being hit with a 4.8 per cent rise in ticket prices from today.

ScotRail is increasing fares across the country after a sixth-month freeze came to an end in June.

The rise excludes season and flexi tickets, which will remain at current prices in an effort to encourage regular usage of rail services.

An off-peak return from Greenock West to Glasgow Central will now cost £8.30, while a similar ticket from Port Glasgow to the city centre and back will cost £7.50.

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The Scottish Government, which runs the rail service, said in June that the rise was lower than those elsewhere in the UK, where ticket prices have risen by almost six per cent in some areas.

A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said: “For over a decade the Scottish Government has kept fares increases down by ensuring they are in line with RPI, or even lower in the case of off-peak fares.

“Fares have now been frozen for almost 18 months, however, that is no longer sustainable. We know that any increase is unwelcome for passengers, therefore we have kept the rise as low as possible to maintain the attractiveness and affordability of rail as a travel option.

“Work continues to deliver a ScotRail peak fares removal pilot from October this year, alongside wider work on our Fair Fares review.”