Peak ScotRail fares scrapped until the end of September
It means the pilot giving commuters cheaper tickets at rush hour will be extended for another three months
Last updated 16th May 2024
A pilot scheme scrapping peak rail fares has been extended for an additional three months, Scotland's First Minister has confirmed.
The trial was initially introduced in October 2023 and was recently extended to run until the end of June.
However, the Scottish Government has now said the pilot will remain in place until the end of September.
It followed calls from the Scottish Greens to make the scheme permanent, with many rail unions also backing the end of peak rail fares.
The price cut sees rush-hour commutes between Glasgow and Edinburgh slashed by almost half, from £28.90 to around £14.90.
ScotRail Far North Line in winter
ScotRail operates 3,120.5 kilometres (1,939 miles) of route, from a dense surburban network around Glasgow to some of the most remote stretches of line in the UK including the Far North Line from Inverness to Wick & Thurso
Glasgow Queen Street
Glasgow Queen Street station is the 3rd busiest in Scotland and underwent a £120m rebuilding project between 2017-2021 including a dramatic new glass-fronted entrance from George Square.
ScotRail passengers
46.7m passengers used Scotrail services in 2020-21 according to the Office of Rail Regulation. That's down from a pre-pandemic high of 97.8m in 2018-19.
ScotRail nationalised
Scotrail has been run by public sector body, owned by the Scottish Government, since April 2022. First Minister unveiled a plaque on one of the class 385 electric units which operate the Glasgow - Edinburgh service. Between 2017-22 Scotrail was operated by the Dutch firm Abellio, and before than the privatised franchise was in the hands of First Group and National Express.
ScotRail HST
Scotrail's flagship Inter7City long-distance services are operated by a fleet of refurbished High Speed Trains. These are the oldest rolling stock on the Scottish network having been first introduced in 1976. They are popular with passengers for their spacious and quiet carriages, but questions were raised about their safety and future following the official report into the fatal crash Carmont near Stonehaven in August 2020.
Glasgow Central
Glasgow Central is Scotland's busiest station, by some margin, with an 5,325,090 people counted coming in and out in 2020-21 according to the Office of Rail Regulation. That's more than 2 million more than Edinburgh Waverley station.
John Swinney confirmed the extension during a visit to a Fife Expo at Edinburgh's Waverley Station, part of the Levenmouth rail link opening celebrations.
Prior to the announcement, the First Minister said the pilot scheme had been "very effective" but said "everything would have to be paid for" when asked if it could be extended.
Confirming the extension, he said: "The Scottish Government's ambition to enhance our railways and make public transport easier and more affordable is clear.
"We know new rail investment can create real education, business and tourism opportunities and help breathe life into communities. This is currently most apparent with the soon-to-open £116m Levenmouth rail link.
"Bold initiatives such as our ScotRail Peak Fares Removal pilot help build on this investment by encouraging more people to switch from car and opt to use the train.
"By extending this pilot for a further three months, we can better understand its impacts in terms of encouraging people to choose rail.
"It also helps tackle inequalities by making commuting, day trips and access to leisure activities even more affordable for all.
"I would encourage passengers to use this opportunity, not just for the daily commute but to see all that Scotland has to offer - that might even include a trip on the Levenmouth rail link or a visit to the Fife Expo.
"People already benefiting from the Peak Fares Removal trial should encourage their friends and family to get on board and use it too."
Joanne Maguire, managing director of ScotRail, said she was "delighted" the pilot had been extended.