Scotrail to offer free travel for Jobseekers heading to interviews

The firm says it will help remove one of the "barriers" to finding work

Published 7th Oct 2017

Jobseekers are being offered free rail travel, to help get them back into work and boost the economy.

Scotrail Alliance said people looking for work will be offered a free return journey twice a month, to help them get to interviews.

The firm will also provide travel tickets for the first month of a new job, as part an initiative it claims will help remove one of the “barriers” people face to get back into work.

Managing director Alex Hynes said: “For people out of work, the cost of travelling to an interview can often be a barrier to returning to work.

“By removing that barrier and providing help with the cost, we hope to be able to support people into work and grow Scotland's economy.

“The support we offer to jobseekers is one of the ScotRail Alliance's best kept secrets - but I want as many people as possible to know about this opportunity.”

The scheme only applies to people who are looking for work through a jobcentre.

Those seeking work can already get a 50% discount on some rail tickets through the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card.

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Employability and Training, said: “The ScotRail franchise is about much more than delivering a rail service - it acts as an enabler for growth by helping people access education, employment and leisure opportunities across the country.

“This offer to jobseekers does exactly that by making attending interviews and starting work more affordable."