Fares on ScotRail will be frozen for 12 months, following a similar freeze south of the border.

First Minister John Swinney said it was part of his government’s ‘resolute focus on the cost of living’. Peak fares have already been abolished on ScotRail routes.

The freeze will apply season tickets and Flexipass tariffs as well as ordinary tickets.

Mr Swinney announced the decision in a speech at Edinburgh Waverley.

He said: ‘I know the cost of living crisis is still hurting people across Scotland – and this government is determined to take action to support people wherever we can. Freezing rail fares is an important way for us to keep people’s costs down and keep more money in their pockets. This follows the removal of peak fares for good across ScotRail services – which brought fares down by up to 48 per cent.’

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop added: ‘We have implemented this freeze to maintain the attractiveness and affordability of rail. From September last year, Scotland became the only part of the UK to remove peak fares, the biggest reform to rail fares in decades.

‘With lower fares, more staff than ever before, and growing passengers and services numbers, we are delivering on our aim to make Scotland’s publicly owned operator an even greater success.’

The freeze has been welcomed by one rail union.

TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: ‘We welcome this move from the SNP government – but make no mistake, it can be no short-term measure as we head into the Holyrood elections in May. 

‘What we need to see now is a long-term drive to make Scotland’s railways affordable for the people of Scotland. It’s true that the cost of living continues to hit people hard but the SNP has had many years in power to take steps to address this.

‘We need a proper plan under a Labour administration at Holyrood which will keep rail travel and other means of public transport not only in public hands but affordable for all.’ 

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