ScotRail train fares will rise by 3.8% in April

From April 2025, the cost of a ScotRail ticket will rise by 3.8%.

The increase was confirmed yesterday by Transport Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish government. Its responsibilities include setting fares for the ScotRail network.

While this year's 3.8% increase is lower than last year's 8.7%, Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, recognised that it would still be 'unwelcome for passengers'.

'[W]e have kept the rise as low as possible to maintain the attractiveness and affordability of rail as a travel option.'

The 20% discount on season tickets will remain in place until September this year, and 'flexipass' tickets will continue to be offered, both of which allow passengers to travel on the same route regularly for less than buying tickets for each journey would cost.

However, since the Scottish government ended their trial of all-day off-peak train fares a few months ago, it has already become more expensive to use the railway.

Posting online, Claire Baker, Scottish Labour's spokesperson for transport, described the move as the 'latest blow for rail passengers'.

'[It] further demonstrates the failure of the Scottish Government to provide a quality and affordable service.'

Nonetheless, the price hike in Scotland is less than the 4.6% for regulated fares in England and Wales, effective 2 March 2025. That was confirmed by the Labour Westminster government in their Autumn 2024 budget statement.

ScotRail is the main train operating company in Scotland. The franchise was previously run by Abellio, before being taken into public ownership in 2022. A handful of other operators can be found in the country, but all their services stretch into England as well.