ScotRail has launched a six-month pilot scheme in an effort to boost rail travel. As part of the scheme, peak-time rail fares have been scrapped on ScotRail services starting Monday. The cost of a rush-hour ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh has almost halved. The savings will only apply to routes where peak-time pricing existed previously. The cheapest tickets available, known as “super off-peak,” will be withdrawn for the duration of the trial. The operator said this would affect only a small proportion of journeys and removing them would make the system simpler.
The Scottish government funded pilot has been launched due to slow recovery of rail travel after Covid, with passenger numbers only at about 70% of pre-pandemic levels. The nationalised operator has added extra carriages to some services, and they have warned customers that trains may be busier than usual. Additional carriages will be added to services through Glasgow Queen Street Low Level and Glasgow Central Low Level (linking Lanarkshire to Dunbartonshire) and services between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High. Rail travel has been slow to recover after Covid, and in an effort to boost rail travel, Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop said she hopes the pilot will encourage people to return to the railways.
The Scottish Greens have championed the initiative as it will encourage people to switch from cars. MSP Mark Ruskell said, “It is a ticket to fairer, greener railways and will end the two-tier system that penalises people who have no choice about when they need to travel to work or study.” Alex Hynes, managing director of ScotRail, said the pilot was believed to be the first of its kind in the UK rail industry. He added, “We know that cost and simplicity are critical factors for people when they choose how to travel, and we are looking forward to delivering this fare reduction for our customers.”
The operator has cautioned that trains may be busier than normal due to the scheme, and the customers are advised to plan their journey using the ScotRail website, app, or social media channels. The pilot is expected to change the way rail fares are structured and result in benefits for passengers who prefer rail travel in Scotland
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More