SCOTRAIL is to put regulated peak fares up by 2.8% from January 2 next year, it has been announced.

The increase, which will apply to season tickets and anytime singles and returns, has been determined by the July 2019 Retail Price Index (RPI) which stands at 2.8%.

The measure is used annually to set the rate of increases on ScotRail services.

Regulated off-peak fares are capped at 1% below RPI and will rise by 1.8%.

The rise means a season ticket from Stirling to Glasgow (any route) will rise by £62, taking it from £2228 to £2290, while Edinburgh to Glasgow (any route) will be priced at £4198, an increase of £114 from £4084.

ScotRail commercial director Lesley Kane said: "Eighty-five per cent of our revenue comes from fares set by the Scottish Government, which decides how much our customers pay.

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"The money generated from fares is reinvested back into Scotland's railway, including £475 million under Abellio in new and upgraded trains and improved punctuality, so that we can give our customers the service they expect and deserve.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said although a fares increase is unwelcome, moves to cut or freeze fares would hit the public purse.

"We are committed to ensuring that rail fares are affordable for passengers and taxpayers across Scotland," she said.

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"We have capped increases where we have influence, making fares 20% cheaper on average than in the rest of Great Britain.

"While any fare increase is unwelcome, calls for measures such as fares cuts or a fares freeze underestimate the impact of these on the public purse.

"Two-thirds of the cost of running the railway is already met through Scottish Government subsidy, with the remainder through rail passenger revenues.

"Any change to rail fares could therefore have a significant impact on the taxpayer."