ScotRail has confirmed that peak-time train fares in Scotland will be abolished permanently from 1 September 2025, cutting the cost of many commuter journeys by up to 40 per cent.
In an email to passengers, the operator pledged: “From 1 September 2025, peak fares will be gone. For good.”
The change means commuters travelling between Edinburgh and Glasgow will see the cost of an “anytime” day return fall from £32.60 to £16.80 – almost halving the price. On other routes, savings will typically range between 20 and 40 per cent, although journeys already charged at a flat rate will remain unchanged.
Peak fares are currently applied during weekday rush hours, with the last day of higher pricing set for Friday, 29 August. From then on, off-peak fares will apply at all times.
The move follows a year-long pilot scheme launched by Transport Scotland in October 2023, which was subsidised by £40 million of government funding. A subsequent report found the trial had only a “limited degree of success,” with passenger numbers rising by up to 6.8 per cent – short of the 10 per cent increase required for the scheme to break even.
Despite the findings, Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop welcomed the permanent change. She said:
“I am pleased to see that peak fares will now be permanently removed. I hope that the removal of peak fares will encourage the use of rail travel, which is a more reliable, sustainable and greener transport option.”
However, critics have questioned the policy. One senior transport figure told The Independent:
“It seems to be a case of the SNP wanting to improve its electoral chances amongst the well-to-do commuters between Edinburgh and Glasgow. It makes no economic sense whatsoever, particularly when government budgets are under enormous pressure in Scotland.”
While most passengers will benefit from lower costs, some tickets will rise in price. The “super off-peak” day returns – heavily discounted but highly restricted – will be scrapped from 1 September.
Local MSP Jim Fairlie has welcomed the change, saying it’ll put money in the pockets of residents in Perth and Kinross.
Commenting, Mr Fairlie said:
“The cost of living is at the top of everyone’s minds – and the SNP has taken action by lowering the cost of a train journey for everyone in Scotland.
“I’m pleased that scrapping peak rail fares will save local commuters money – around £1,200 a year, commuting from Perthto Dundee every working day of the year.
“This was only possible because the SNP brought ScotRail back into public ownership in 2022.
“Where we have the powers, we’ve taken action to help save Scots money – but with devolution, we can only address the symptoms – with independence we could address the root causes.”
ScotRail said the change would simplify ticketing and allow passengers to travel when it suits them without worrying about peak-hour restrictions.
