Peak ScotRail fares suspended for a further three months until September | UK News

A pilot scheme scrapping ScotRail peak fares has been extended for a further three months, Scotland’s First Minister has announced.

The trial was initially introduced in October 2023 and has been extended to last until the end of June.

It will now remain in effect until the end of September.

The price cut provides for rush hour travel between Glasgow It is Edinburgh reduced by almost half, from £28.90 to £14.90.

Prime Minister John Swinney made the announcement on Thursday during a visit to Fife Expo at Edinburgh’s Waverley station, part of the opening celebrations for the Levenmouth rail link.

He said: “We know that new rail investment can create real opportunities for education, business and tourism and help bring communities to life. This is currently most evident with the £116m Levenmouth rail link, which will soon open.

“Bold initiatives like our ScotRail peak fare removal pilot help build on this investment, encouraging more people to ditch the car and opt to use the train.

«By extending this pilot project for another three months, we can better understand its impacts in terms of encouraging people to choose rail transport. It also helps combat inequalities by making commuting, commuting and access to leisure activities even more accessible for everyone.

“I would encourage commuters to take advantage of this opportunity, not just for the daily commute, but to see all of this Scotland has to offer – this could even include a trip on the Levenmouth rail link or a visit to Fife Expo.”

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Joanne Maguire, managing director of ScotRail, said she was “delighted” with the extension of the pilot.

The Scottish Greens are calling for the scheme to be made permanent.

Mark Ruskell MSP, the party’s climate and transport spokesman, said: “The Scottish Greens fought tooth and nail to persuade the government and Transport Scotland to eliminate peak rail fares and their response was to first test the changes , which have now proved popular with passengers and trade unions.

“Given that they are now integrated into people’s daily routines and are helping to tackle both the cost of living and the climate crises, it would be a spectacular own goal if Mr Swinney and the SNP brought back what is, in effect, a suburban tax.

“The change must become permanent.”