Angus MSP welcomes cut-price rail fare scheme

Reduced fares on ScotRail can be booked between May 9 and May 15, with return journeys valid up until June 30.

Between May 9 and May 31, travellers can take an outward journey for half price, with the return journey being valid until June 30.

Rail users can book their tickets between May 9 and May 15 inclusively on a dedicated website.

The price cut will mean a return journey between Edinburgh and Glasgow will be £9.55, and £23.85 between Inverness and Aberdeen.

Mr Dey said that this is one of the first commitments from the Scottish Government since taking Scotrail into public hands, and it is hoped it will encourage more people to use Scotland’s railways as the country emerges from the pandemic.

Scotland’s rail fares are already 20% cheaper than anywhere else in the UK, with the change set to see commuters making huge savings across Scotland’s network.

ScotRail was taken back into public ownership at the beginning of April for the first time in 25 years.

The train operator is now run by a company owned by the Scottish Government.

The previous operator, Abellio, had its franchise ended early amid criticism of the quality of the service.

The UK's rail network was privatised in the 90s by John Major's Conservative government. Before Abellio, ScotRail was run by National Express and First Group.

Mr Dey said: “This is a very welcome move at a time when many people are struggling financially - and one that has been made possible by this Scottish Government's taking on public ownership of Scotrail.

“I am delighted that people in Angus and across Scotland will already start to see the benefit of this key intervention from next month, with this major ticket price reduction.

“While the UK Government fails to take any real action to address a cost-of-living crisis in large part of its own making, rail fares is just one area where we see the SNP acting to protect living standards.

“I know that the 50% fares cut will be a real help to many constituents at this time, and I would also encourage those who may not ordinarily travel by train to take the opportunity to use our railways for less.”