UNIONS claimed victory today as the Scottish government’s decision to abolish all peak fares on ScotRail trains took effect.

Commuters will now pay less to travel in the morning and evening busy periods, with the price of a return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh falling from £32.60 during peak times to £16.80.

The decision followed the cancellation of a year-long pilot in 2024, which provoked condemnation from both commuters and trade unions campaigning for the change.

First Minister John Swinney said the £40 million cost of scrapping the fares was financially sustainable “because it’s an investment in the rail network and it’s an investment in the people of Scotland.”

Speaking at the scheme’s launch in Edinburgh, he said it would help people move “from their cars onto trains” and provide environmental benefits.

ScotRail managing director Joanne Maguire said travel on Scotland’s railways would now be “simpler, more flexible and provide better value for money."

MSP Mark Ruskell of the Scottish Greens, who secured the pilot when in government, said: “Peak rail fares have always been a deeply unfair tax on people who have no say over when they need to travel and I am delighted that we are finally rid of them.”

Aslef Scottish organiser Kevin Lindsay hailed the move as “a victory for rail passengers, the environment, our wider economy and the future well-being of Scotland’s rail industry.

“It is also a victory for Aslef and our relentless campaigning to end peak fares.”

He said, however, that “more could and should be done to cut fares further and ensure Scotland’s rail services are as affordable and accessible as possible.”

Also welcoming the axing of peak fares, RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said they had been “an unnecessary financial penalty on working people and ultimately put people off using the service. 

“This decision must now be backed up with proper investment, safe staffing levels and a long-term plan for Scotland’s publicly owned railway.”

TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “We have long backed the scrapping of peak fares, so this is a victory which makes travel significantly cheaper for many passengers.

“This could have happened much sooner had the SNP not scrapped the original pilot scheme. 

“Of course, what is good for Scotland is good for the rest of the country and we would also encourage the end of peak fares across these islands.”