In a first for Britain’s rail network, ScotRail will permanently remove peak fares from 1 September, offering passengers the same ticket price regardless of the time or day of travel.
Announced by the Scottish Government in May, the initiative is intended to simplify fares, make rail travel more affordable, and encourage people to choose trains over cars. Officials say the policy will result in substantial savings for many journeys, with some fares cut by almost half.
For example, a return ticket between Edinburgh and Glasgow will drop from £32.60 to £16.80, a saving of 48 per cent, while Inverkeithing–Edinburgh will fall by 41 per cent to £7.40. Other notable reductions include Glasgow–Stirling (40 per cent), Perth–Dundee (31 per cent), Inverness–Elgin (34 per cent), and Inverurie–Aberdeen (20 per cent).
Examples of the massive savings to be made include:
| Journey | Return fare from 1 September | Saving | Percentage saving |
| Edinburgh – Glasgow | £16.80 | £15.80 | 48% |
| Inverkeithing – Edinburgh | £7.40 | £5.20 | 41% |
| Perth – Dundee | £11.20 | £5.10 | 31% |
| Glasgow – Stirling | £10.80 | £7.40 | 40% |
| Inverurie – Aberdeen | £10.10 | £2.50 | 20% |
| Inverness – Elgin | £16.30 | £8.50 | 34% |
Routes where the same fare already applies throughout the day will remain unchanged. Updated prices for all routes will be available on the ScotRail website and app from 22 August, when peak fare options will be removed for travel from September onwards.
As part of the fare reform, other ticket types will also be updated. Season tickets will stay at their current price until 27 September, maintaining a discount of at least 40 per cent compared with buying multiple Anytime Day Returns. Flexipass tickets will be adjusted to ensure continued savings for part-time commuters, while Super Off-Peak Day Returns will be withdrawn, as all-day low fares will now apply.
Railcards and concession discounts will continue under existing conditions, most valid for travel after 9.15am.
The changes are part of the Scottish Government’s wider effort to support its net zero ambitions and increase rail’s role as a primary mode of transport. ScotRail currently holds a 91 per cent customer satisfaction rating, outperforming all other large UK train operators. The operator has reported a busy summer, with over 200,000 passengers travelling to major events including the Edinburgh Festivals, Tall Ships Races in Aberdeen, and concerts at Hampden Park and Murrayfield.
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said:
“Public ownership has created the opportunity to deliver a railway which is run for the benefit of the nation. ScotRail is one of the fastest growing operators, with one of the best passenger satisfaction rates and we are building even further on this success by removing peak fares for good.
We want more people to choose to travel by public transport for work, study and leisure but we know that many are still struggling with cost-of-living pressures. By removing peak fares, we are making ticketing more simple and more straightforward while at the same time supporting a shift towards sustainable public transport, protecting the climate, and saving people money.”
Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Managing Director, added:
“This is fantastic news, not only for our existing customers, but for everyone across the country considering rail travel for their commute or leisure journeys.
Travelling by train remains one of the most convenient ways to get around, and with simpler, more affordable fares, we hope to see many more people choose ScotRail.”
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