ScotRail to scrap peak fares from Sept. 1, cutting prices on busy routes
State-owned operator ends higher charges at busy times; Edinburgh–Glasgow journeys set to be almost half price as government seeks to shift commuters onto trains
ScotRail will remove peak fares from 1 September, the state-owned operator said, eliminating higher charges for travel at the busiest times and delivering substantial savings on several key routes.
Under the change, a ticket between Edinburgh and Glasgow will be almost 50% cheaper during former peak periods, while fares between Perth and Dundee will fall by about a third. Fares on routes that do not currently have a peak-time price will be unchanged, and ScotRail said ticketing would become more straightforward and flexible under the new system.
The policy was first trialled in 2023 in a pilot scheme backed by the Scottish Greens but was ended in September 2024 after ministers concluded the cost of continuing the subsidy could not be justified. First Minister John Swinney announced in his programme for government speech in May that peak fares would be removed again, paving the way for the relaunch next month.
Transport officials said the move aims to encourage commuters to switch from cars to trains, reduce congestion and simplify fare choices for passengers. ScotRail and Scottish Government officials have framed the change as part of wider efforts to boost public transport use and make rail travel more affordable for everyday journeys.
Critics of the earlier pilot had pointed to the financial cost of subsidising peak fares, a factor that led ministers to end the scheme last year amid tight budgets. Officials have not released full details of the fiscal impact of the renewed policy, and it is expected that the Scottish Government will set out funding arrangements as the new fares regime takes effect.
ScotRail said the abolition of peak fares will apply systemwide where such charges previously existed and that customers will see simpler ticketing options and increased flexibility in when they can travel at lower prices. The operator did not provide an immediate estimate of the number of passengers likely to benefit or the total cost to the public purse.
The reinstatement follows a period of debate in Scottish politics over how best to support public transport while managing limited budgets. The Scottish Greens had made the removal of peak fares a policy priority and pushed for its return after the initial pilot was halted. Ministers have said they remain committed to balancing affordability, capacity and fiscal sustainability as the rail network adapts to changing travel patterns.
ScotRail has advised passengers to check its website and ticketing channels for details of the new fares and any changes to ticket types ahead of 1 September. Further information on timetable adjustments, capacity planning and subsidy arrangements is expected to be published by transport officials in the coming weeks.