ScotRail peak fares suspension axed after £40m trial in 'deeply disappointing' decision

Peak fares will return on all ScotRail services from next month after the trial of half-priced tickets during busy commuter times was scrapped in a decision branded “deeply disappointing”.

Transport Scotland announced the move on Tuesday morning, saying the peak fares suspension trial had only enjoyed a “limited degree of success”.

The one-year pilot scheme, which cost around £40 million to introduce and saved some customers thousands of pounds, will end on September 27, leading to cross-party condemnation of the decision.

The peak fares suspension on ScotRail services has been axed. Picture: Peter Summers/Getty Images | Getty Images

The Scottish Government said analysis showed “a limited increase in the number of passengers” and it did not encourage a “significant modal shift” from car to rail, while pledging to consider a “future subsidy”.

The reintroduction of peak fares will mean the price of the top ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh will now rise by 8.6 per cent to £31.40.

In justifying the decision, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The pilot primarily benefitted existing train passengers and those with medium to higher incomes. Although passenger levels increased to a maximum of around 6.8 per cent. It would require a 10 per cent increase in passenger numbers for the policy to be self-financing.”

The decision was condemned by rail union Aslef, which said the move demonstrated a lack of commitment to the climate and cost-of-living crisis. The Scottish Greens warned transport was the biggest source of carbon emissions as party spokesman Mark Ruskell described the decision as “deeply disappointing”.

The Scottish Conservatives said lowering fares was “the right thing to do” and declared the move should have been made permanent.

Jim Baxter, Aslef executive council member said: “We are really angry and beyond disappointed. This is a disaster for workers, the economy and the environment

“Incentivising people to make the shift from road to rail travel will take years. If Scotland is to meet its climate targets it has to invest in transport and make fares affordable. This will take money out the pockets of workers, encouraging many back into cars.”

Mr Ruskell said: “It is a hammer blow to the many workers all over Scotland who have to travel every day, but have no say on when they need to be at work. Ending peak rail fares is something that the Scottish Greens pushed hard for alongside rail workers unions and anti-poverty campaigners, and I know many will be angry to see the SNP bringing them back like this.“

Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister Graham Simpson said: “Simplifying and lowering fares helps people afford to use the trains. It was the right thing to do ... the Scottish Government should have done far more to promote the peak fare removal. In the end, it should never have been mere numbers, but having a rail system and fare system that is fair and affordable. We have gone backwards.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Daniel O’Malley said: “With key routes such as Glasgow to Edinburgh now being cheaper to drive, many commuters just won’t see the point in getting the train.

“ScotRail has been in public hands for more than two years. In that time, passengers have had to endure endless disruption all while rail fares continue to rise.”

Ms Hyslop said a discount on season tickets would be available along with a reintroduction of super off-peak fares.

“The pilot will have been welcome in saving many passengers hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds during the cost-of-living crisis, but this level of subsidy cannot continue in the current financial climate on that measure alone,” she said.

Ms Hyslop added: “The Scottish Government would be open to consider future subsidy to remove peak fares should UK budget allocations to the Scottish Government improve in future years.”