ScotRail will no longer charge extra for fares during peak times

Two Moray-based politicians have welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to scrap peak rail fares.

Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead and Highlands and Islands Greens MSP Ariane Burgess support the move to scrap peak rail fares on publicly-owned ScotRail services for good.

Forres resident, Ms Burgess, confirmed the Scottish Greens first secured the pilot project for ending peak rail fares in 2023 while they were in Government - this was dropped by the SNP in 2024.

She said: “Peak rail fares have always been an unfair tax on workers, students and regular travellers. They penalise people who often have no say on when and where they need to travel.

“Travellers will save hundreds, if not thousands of pounds per year from peak rail fares being scrapped for good.”

The Scottish Greens aim to make transport affordable, accessible and widely available.

Ms Burgess said: "By making it easier for people to choose public transport rather than taking the car, we can protect our planet and make our roads and communities cleaner, greener and safer for everyone.

“Regular commuters in my region found the return to peak fares to be a hit on their purse and noted a drop in rail users at peak times.”

The SNP Scottish Government’s Programme for Government aims to provide the best cost-of-living support across the UK.

Scrapping peak rail fares forms part of the First Minister’s Cost of Living Guarantee - Scots pay on average lower bills than people in the rest of the UK whilst also having access to a more extensive range of public services.

Mr Lochhead said: “The Programme for Government focusses on delivery and hope for people in Moray and ensures a full year of delivery for the people of Scotland.

“We have heard loud and clear that people are facing challenges and are taking action to fix them.”