Business calls on SNP to scrap peak rail fares in Scottish budget

Businesses across Scotland are lobbying ministers to ease the financial strain on workers by scrapping peak rail fares that have doubled the cost for commuters.

A survey of 600 companies revealed that one in four want to reinstate a pilot scheme in which ticket prices were subsidised by the Scottish government and standardised across the day.

The trial on ScotRail services ran for 12 months but was scrapped at the end of September amid emergency funding cuts.

• How the end of cheap train fares leaves motorists with all stick and no carrot

Shona Robison, the finance secretary, has pledged to put “more money in people’s pockets” with the Scottish budget on Wednesday.

Although there is pressure on public finances and concern over the state