The Scottish Government is examining how ”anomalies” in the pricing of train travel to and from Dundee can be fixed.
Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil has asked officials to review the ticketing structure amid claims there is a ”Tay tax” which means fares rocket once you cross the river.
The news emerged on Tuesday the same day it was confirmed that many rail fares in Scotland will increase by 4.2% next year and cross-border services will go up by 6.2%.
Labour MSP Jenny Marra wrote to the SNP administration last month to demand action on the ”unfairness” of ticketing on connections between Dundee and Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The North East list member believes the cost of return train travel between Dundee and Glasgow which costs as much as £48.60 is unacceptable and potentially damaging to the city’s economic future.
She highlighted that areas around Glasgow and Edinburgh benefit from being part of a ”regulated zone”, in which fares are closely controlled by the Government.
Dundee is outwith the zone, meaning train operators are free to set their own ticket prices for the majority of journeys.
Mr Neil has now responded to the letter and conceded there are ”anomalies” with some of the fares from Dundee. He said he had instructed his officials to examine the problem and pledged to keep fares as low as possible.
The Government is preparing to renew the ScotRail franchise for 2014 onwards.
”The Scottish Government is committed to affordable fares for passengers, including those in Dundee, and will ensure that the next franchise encourages greater use of our railway,” Mr Neil said.
”This includes a further unequivocal commitment to extend regulated fares to cover rural passengers and commuters.
”Notwithstanding this, I am aware of a number of anomalies in fares and have asked my officials to look at ways to address this issue under terms of the existing franchise. This includes the issues identified in fares to and from Dundee.”
Ms Marra said she was ”pleased” by the Government’s response.