Transport minister Humza Yousaf is to reveal more details of a £3m fare reduction scheme for Scotland's railways on Friday.

Yousaf will explain the new initiative announced by finance secretary Derek Mackay as part of the Scottish Government 2017/18 budget.

Mackay said the scheme is a thank-you to ScotRail passengers for their "patience".

ScotRail 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 Dutch parent firm Abellio be stripped of the franchise to run Scotland's railways.

Mackay told MSPs at Holyrood on Thursday: "Following recent performance issues, some in the chamber have called for a rail fares freeze.

"They claimed it would cost around £2m but the real cumulative cost of a one-year freeze - to the first break point in the franchise - would in reality be £58m.

"This would compromise the investment programme that is so vital to improving the performance of our rail network."

He added: "We recognise that investment can mean disruption for passengers as we upgrade lines and introduce new stations.

"I can announce today that in the coming financial year we will invest not £2m but £3m in a package of targeted fare reductions to ease costs for passengers and thank them for their patience."