ScotRail fares to increase by 3.8% this week in 'blow to passengers'

Rail passengers in Scotland are bracing for a 3.8% fare rise from this week.

The changes, due to come into force on Tuesday (April 1), have been slammed by the national rail union as “deeply unfair” and a “blow” to passengers, public transport, and Scotland’s climate commitments.

It’s the second time in two years that rail fares have gone up and follows the Scottish Government’s approval of plans to cut hours at over 30 ScotRail ticket offices.

From Tuesday April 1, people in Scotland will be paying an extra 3.8% for all train journeys operated by ScotRail. An anytime return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh will rise by £1.20 – from £31.40 to £32.60.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey described the increase as “deeply unfair to passengers and one that Scotrail cannot justify”.

“If you are serious about cutting carbon and getting people out of cars, then it does not make sense to make travel more expensive and less accessible,” Mr Dempsey said.

“The Scottish Government needs to back its words with action freeze fares, protect staff, and start investing properly in Scotland’s publicly-owned railway.”

The latest fare increase has also come off the back of plans to cut hours at the majority of ScotRail ticket offices, which the Scottish Government signed off on in February.

RMT slammed these cuts as “undermining accessibility and passenger support across the network”.

The union said the rises also follow the reintroduction of peak fares last autumn, which they said further increased the cost of travel for many commuters.

ScotRail said Scottish Government ministers signed off on the 3.8% fare increases in January after “lengthy consideration” to ensure rail services are sustainable in the longer term and that budgets align with the funding available.

At the time, cabinet secretary for transport, 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.”

The announcement followed an 8.7% fare increase in April 2024, when the Scottish Government said the fares were “simply no longer sustainable.”

In an effort to keep rail travel attractive for passengers, ScotRail is continuing the current 20% discount on season tickets until September 2025 as planned.

Flexipass will also continue to offer 12 single (six return) journeys. The availability of Flexipass has also expanded to include eight new stations.

Hyslop said ScotRail is also continuing to develop fares initiatives “which can help attract more passengers while offering savings and added value to existing rail users.”