Scottish train operator ScotRail has scrapped peak fares on all services operating from Monday, 1 September.

The move, which was announced by the Scottish government earlier this year, means that passengers now pay the same fare regardless of when they travel.

In a statement, ScotRail said that removing peak fares would mean ¡°significant savings¡± for travellers with some fares being cut by almost 50 per cent, including those between the country¡¯s largest cities Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Previously, ScotRail¡¯s peak fares applied to weekday travel before 9.15am and on some services between 4.42pm and 6.30pm.

A peak return ticket between Edinburgh and Glasgow had been priced at ?32.60 but has been reduced to a flat rate of ?16.80, which represents a saving of 48 per cent.

Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish cabinet secretary for transport, said: ¡°We want more people to choose to travel by public transport for work, study and leisure but we know that many are still struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

¡°By removing peak fares, we are making ticketing more simple and more straightforward while at the same time supporting a shift towards sustainable public transport, protecting the climate, and saving people money.¡±

Joanne Maguire, ScotRail¡¯s managing director, added: ¡°Travelling by train remains one of the most convenient ways to get around, and with simpler, more affordable fares, we hope to see many more people choose ScotRail.¡±

ScotRail previously scrapped peak fares in 2023 as part of a pilot scheme, but this ended a year ago when Scottish ministers said it had only been a ¡°limited success¡±. The Scottish government said it would reverse this decision in May and once again axe peak train fares from September.