Today marks the last day of ScotRail commuters being able to use off-peak fares to travel on trains in the country.

After the Scottish Government introduced a trial in 2023, where it scrapped the higher prices in an effort to alleviate financial pressure on the public and encourage more use of transport, it has now decided to end the scheme.

The Scottish Government has said the costs did not justify continuing the trial, as it did not see an improvement in passenger numbers, with £40 million being spent on the scheme since its introduction on October 2 2023.

The removal of the scheme means that from Monday 30 September, some commuters could see their travel costs almost double. With the peak fares an anytime return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh will cost £31.40 instead of £16.20.

The scrapping of the trial comes in the middle of ScotRail’s use of a temporary timetable due to a train drivers’ dispute which is set to last until at least October 6.

However, members of the Aslef drivers’ union voted to accept the latest pay offer earlier this week.

The decision to scrap the trial has been met with criticism from opposition parties and campaign groups who have urged the Scottish Government to re-think.

Jamie Livingstone, head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “The return of peak rail fares is a short-sighted and damaging climate dead-end that hits commuters and the climate alike.

“While rail passengers are punished, thousands of private jets continue to soar above Scotland, spewing unnecessary pollution, virtually without penalty.

“Scottish ministers must lift their eyes to the skies to find bold but fair solutions – such as a tax on private jets – to fund essential climate action, like green travel, investing in a fairer future for all of us.”

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An analysis published by ministers in August found the trial had had a limited degree of success in encouraging more people to travel by train and mainly benefited existing passengers.

Passenger levels increased by a maximum of around 6.8% but the scheme required a 10% rise to be self-financing.

A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: “The peak fares removal pilot was a welcome incentive over the last 12 months, saving many passengers hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds during the cost-of-living crisis.

“The Scottish Government would be open to consider future subsidy to remove peak fares should UK budget allocations improve in future years.

“Ministers understand this will be disappointing for many rail users, particularly for those who cannot choose when they travel to and from work. That is why a 12-month discount on all ScotRail season tickets has been introduced, available weekly, monthly and annually.

“Prior to the pilot someone travelling between Edinburgh and Glasgow would have paid £28.90 for an anytime return. They will now pay £31.40 for an anytime day return, but with the 20% discount this reduces to £18.52 if they use an annual season ticket to travel at least four days per week, or £21.25 if using a flexipass for a return journey.”

Claire Dickie, ScotRail commercial director, added: “The peak fares trial may be coming to an end, but we are introducing new ways for customers to lock in great value on their regular peak-time train travel.

“From September 28, enhanced discounts with season tickets and flexipass mean customers can continue to save on peak-time rail travel.

“Whether you’re commuting daily or travelling frequently on the same route, we’ll continue to offer you great value on a safe, reliable, and green form of public transport.”