SNP MSP Evelyn Tweed has welcomed the scrapping of peak fares across Scotrail services in Stirling for the next six months.
The trial will see the end of peak fares on all Scotrail services at all times until March 2024, and is funded by the SNP Scottish Government.
The cost of peak time travel on some of Scotland’s busiest routes, such as Glasgow to Edinburgh, is expected to reduce by as much as 48%. Fares for peak time journeys from Perth to Dundee and Glasgow to Stirling will go down by 31% and 40%, respectively. Travel from Stirling to Glasgow will cost £9.60 return all day rather than £16.10 for peak travel. Dunblane to Edinburgh will be £11.10 all day compared to £19 for peak travel.
Commenting on the pilot, Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop said:
“The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government makes a clear commitment to encouraging a shift towards sustainable transport. It is clear that there is work to be done to encourage people across Scotland back to rail, which will be key in meeting our Net Zero targets.
“This pilot will make ticketing simpler with off-peak fares valid all day, allowing those using Scotland’s railways access to more affordable fares.
“The Scottish Government are providing funding to ScotRail to deliver this Pilot which will encourage more people across Scotland to choose a safe, reliable and greener form of transport.
Commenting, SNP MSP for Stirling, Evelyn Tweed said:
“It is fantastic to see Scottish Government investment deliver the scrapping of peak fares on publicly-owned Scotrail services for the next six months.
“This trial, backed by £15 million of SNP Scottish Government funding, will make our rail services more accessible and encourage active travel, benefitting the health and well-being of communities like Stirling and advancing progress towards our ambitious net zero goals.
“As the Tory-made cost of living crisis piles pressure on household budgets, the SNP Scottish Government is taking action to ease the burden on Scots by facilitating affordable travel across the country. Scotrail ‘Kids for a Quid’ will now apply all day too, meaning even more significant savings for families at a time when it’s sorely needed.
“I encourage all residents of Stirling to take full advantage of this pilot – a vital step towards achieving the First Minister’s core mission of building a fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland.”
