RAIL groups have hit out at changes to a popular ScotRail discount scheme which will see the cost of some journeys more than double.
New franchise operator Abellio is overhauling ScotRail's Club 55 - a cut price fares offer developed by First Group for over 55s - ahead of an official launch in autumn.
The revamped off-peak scheme, named Club 50, will run all year round and be expanded to include anyone aged 50 plus.
However, passenger groups warn that there are also drawbacks which will see some journeys become considerably more expensive.
Under First Group, Club 55 ran three times per year, typically for periods of two to three months at a time. It was first launched in 2010 and was widely praised for its ease of use and generous discounts, quickly becoming ScotRail's most popular deal.
Passengers aged over 55 could turn up at any station, provide proof of age and buy a standard class off-peak fare between any two stations throughout Scotland for £19 return. They could also travel first-class for only £35 return, as long as the seat was booked by 6pm the day before.
In comparison, Club 50 requires all tickets to be reserved in advance online.
To qualify passengers will also have to pay an annual membership fee of £15 - or £10 if registering online - which entitles them to 20 per cent off fares.
In some cases this means the cost of travel under Club 50 will be more than twice what it was under Club 55.
For example, a first-class return between Glasgow Queen Street and Aberdeen costing £102.80 which would have been available to Club 55 customers for only £35, will now cost £82.24.
Similarly, a standard-class return between Edinburgh Waverley and Inverness costing £52.10, previously available for £19 through Club 55, will cost Club 50 members £41.68.
Bruce Williamson, spokesman for the campaign group Railfuture, said: "It's swings and roundabouts. Obviously we welcome the plus sides, but we're not too happy about the downsides. It's disappointing that some of the best aspects of it have been lost.
"Fares are always a big issue for passengers and we'd obviously welcome any reduction in prices, but sadly some of the best deals have gone.
"They're basically giving with one hand and taking away with the other."
A number of journeys will remain largely unchanged, however. A weekday off-peak return between Edinburgh and Glasgow costing £23.10 will actually be around 50 pence cheaper under Club 50 - £18.48 compared to the previous £19 flat fare.
Others, such as a day trip from Glasgow to Oban, will become slightly more expensive - costing around £23.20 return under Club 50 compared to £19 previously.
John McCormick, chairman of the Scottish Association for Public Transport, said the majority of older passengers would be better off investing in a Senior Railcard, the national concessionary scheme which offers over-60s a third off most fares in exchange for an annual £30 fee.
He added: "I suspect most people would have rather had the old system where it was £19 to go anywhere and you just turned up. The ease of use, the prices, and fact that you didn't have to pay any upfront membership fee were very good.
"I think 20 per cent off is quite disappointing."
ScotRail said the new scheme will include other perks such as free registration for the national 'Bike & Go' cycle hire scheme, which normally costs £10.
A spokeswoman for ScotRail said: "We've talked to customers across Scotland, and there is clear demand for cheaper off-peak travel all year round, for friends and family members who are younger than 55.
"We are still finalising details but we aim to run additional promotions on top of the core offer, which will make this membership scheme well worth having."
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