Latest news with #Flexipass
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
ScotRail scrapping peak rail fares – 3 things you need to know
The Scottish Government announced in May this year that the peak fares would be abolished to make costs simpler and provide more value for money, as well as encouraging more people to opt for rail travel rather than taking a car. The change is part of the Government's push for Net Zero, with rail travel contributing less than half of carbon emissions for a 20-minute trip compared to car journeys. READ MORE: Seven things we learnt from Nicola Sturgeon's autobiography Frankly 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.' When will peak rail fares be scrapped in Scotland? From September 1, ScotRail passengers will pay the same price for tickets purchased before 9am as they would for later services. Once the extra charges are removed, Super Off-Peak tickets will also be scrapped. How much money will I save? On average, commuters will save 35% on train fares once the peak time charges are gone. Return fares from Edinburgh to Glasgow will see savings of £15.80, and returns between Inverness and Elgin will be cut by £8.50 How does the change affect other ticket types and rail cards? ScotRail currently sells several different ticket types outside of their standard single and return fares. Railcards, concession and other discount options will remain valid for travel after 9:15am. Season Tickets will retain their current prices until September 27, whilst Flexipass tickets will see adjusted prices from September 1 to ensure they still offer savings compared to purchasing several single or return tickets. Customers are advised to check the ScotRail app or website from August 22 to see what the changes will look like come September 1.
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
ScotRail train fares to increase by nearly 4%
Rail fares across Scotland are set to increase by 3.8% in price rise, instigated by Transport Scotland, will affect all services operated by means an anytime return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh will rise by £1.20 - from £31.40 to £32.60. Transport Scotland said Scottish government ministers agreed on the increase after "lengthy consideration" to ensure rail services are sustainable long-term and in line with the budget. Last year, train fares went up by 8.7%. The transport authority said a 20% discount on season tickets would continue until September and the travel card Flexipass - which offers 12 single journeys for the price of 10 - has been expanded to cover more include Exhibition Centre (Glasgow), Anderston, Motherwell, High Street (Glasgow), Charing Cross (Glasgow), Perth, Stirling, and Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "We know that any increase is unwelcome for passengers, therefore we have kept the rise as low as possible to maintain the attractiveness and affordability of rail as a travel option."We continue to look at ways to encourage greater rail use and that is why we are continuing our 20% discounts on season tickets until September 2025 as planned and expanding the availability of Flexipass."ScotRail also continue to develop fares initiatives which can help attract more passengers, while offering savings and added value to existing rail users." In October 2023, ScotRail launched a pilot scheme which scrapped peak rail fares to encourage people to use the railway rather than their cars, but it ended in September 2024 following "limited success".Peak fares cover tickets bought before 09:15 on weekdays and certain services between 16:42 and 18: Scotland said the scheme, which saw ticket prices subsidised by the Scottish government and standardised across the day, "did not achieve its aims" of persuading more people to swap car journeys for rail levels increased by a maximum of around 6.8% but the scheme required a 10% rise to be move to scrap the scheme was criticised by opposition MSPs, with Labour calling peak fares "a tax on workers trying to travel to work in a more sustainable way".
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ScotRail ticket prices to rise in April in 'unwelcome' news for commuters
ScotRail fares will increase by 3.8% from April, with the Scottish Government admitting the move is 'unwelcome'. A pilot scheme which abolished peak fares was abandoned in August, with the higher rates returning the following month, meaning price increases of close to 100% for some routes. That followed an increase of 8.7% in fares from April 2024, and the price will once again rise by 3.8% across the network from April 1. With the removal of peak fares, season tickets were discounted by 20% for a year and that will continue as planned until September. Read More: Cost of rail fares in Scotland is 'challenging', says Transport Secretary Rising ScotRail costs blamed on drop in passengers levels On the right track? Herald series investigates future of Scotland's trains Flexipass will continue to offer 12 single (6 return) journeys, and has been expanded to include Exhibition Centre (Glasgow), Anderston, Motherwell, High Street (Glasgow), Charing Cross (Glasgow), Perth, Stirling, and Bathgate. Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said: 'From 1 April 2025, all ScotRail fares will increase by 3.8%. We know that any increase is unwelcome for passengers, therefore we have kept the rise as low as possible to maintain the attractiveness and affordability of rail as a travel option. 'We continue to look at ways to encourage greater rail use and that is why we are continuing our 20 per cent discounts on season tickets until September 2025 as planned and expanding the availability of flexipass. 'ScotRail also continue to develop fares initiatives which can help attract more passengers, while offering savings and added value to existing rail users.' This week The Herald has been running a special investigation into the state of Scotland's railways - you can read all articles in the series here.
