ScotRail train fares increase by almost 9% following price freeze

Trains fares across Scotland have increased by almost 9% from April 1 following an extended fares freeze.

In December 2023, Transport Scotland announced the rise and said it was “no longer sustainable” to continue with the price freeze, which was put in place as a response to the cost of living crisis.

From April 1, all ScotRail fares will increase by 8.7%.

It comes after Caledonian Sleeper fares increased on average by 8.7% on January 1, excluding seated tickets.

The ScotRail peak fares removal pilot has been extended by three months, and will now finish in June 2024 after it was initially due to last until the end of April 2024.

The national transport agency said ministers agreed the fares after “lengthy consideration” to ensure rail services are sustainable in the longer term and that “budgets align with the overall funding available”.

“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,” said minister for transport Fiona Hyslop.

“The Scottish Government rightly made the decision to freeze flexi-pass and season ticket prices as part of its response to the cost of living crisis. While this has now remained in place for almost two years, it is simply no longer sustainable.

“We are committed to investing in public transport and through this latest budget we will provide more than £2.5bn to support it. This includes over £1.6bn to operate, maintain and improve Scotland’s railway, £430m in funding for concessionary travel and bus services, and £434m to operate and invest in our ferries.”