Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said £3 million of targeted rail fare reductions announced in the budget is a thank you to passengers for their "patience".
The cash comes after operator ScotRail has faced heavy criticism for late and cancelled trains, being ordered to implement an improvement plan by government agency Transport Scotland and facing calls from campaigners for its Dutch parent firm Abellio to be stripped of the franchise.
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Mr Mackay said: "Following recent performance issues, some in the chamber have called for a rail fares freeze.
"They claimed it would cost around £2 million but the real cumulative cost of a one-year freeze - to the first break point in the franchise - would in reality be £58 million.
"This would compromise the investment programme that is so vital to improving the performance of our rail network.
"But we recognise that investment can mean disruption for passengers as we upgrade lines and introduce new stations.
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"I can announce today that in the coming financial year we will invest not £2 million but £3 million in a package of targeted fare reductions to ease costs for passengers and thank them for their patience."
He said transport minister Humza Yousaf will reveal more details on the fare reductions on Friday.
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