The SNP is marking six months since peak rail fares were scrapped in Scotland, claiming the move has already saved regular commuters thousands of pounds.
Peak fares were abolished on 1 September 2025 under the Scottish Government, with the policy aimed at easing cost of living pressures and encouraging rail travel.
Graham Leadbitter MP, the SNP’s Transport spokesperson, said commuters in his Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency travelling between Elgin and Aberdeen for work could have saved £1,344 over six months.
He also pointed to potential savings for five day a week commuters on other routes.
Elgin to Inverness £1,020 over six months.
Nairn to Inverness £420 over six months.
Nairn to Elgin £792 over six months.
Forres to Inverness £756 over six months.
Forres to Elgin £492 over six months.
Glasgow to Edinburgh £1,896 over six months.
The Scottish Government has also confirmed rail fares will be frozen from April.
Leadbitter said the changes demonstrate what can be achieved with devolved powers.
“The SNP is providing the best cost of living support anywhere on these isles, and our abolition of peak rail fares has already put thousands of pounds back into people’s pockets.
“Over these six months of ScotRail savings, commuters in my own constituency travelling from Elgin to Aberdeen have saved over one thousand pounds, with a similar figure kept in the pockets of people travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh for work.
“While Westminster presides over an ever-worsening cost of living crisis and embroils itself in distracting chaos, the SNP Scottish Government has used its limited powers to save ordinary people huge sums of money.
“This is the difference an SNP Scottish Government makes, more money in people’s pockets, and a positive example set for other nations to follow.
“And from April, rail fares will be frozen in Scotland to protect commuters from inflation that, because of Westminster’s incompetence, has already hiked their energy bills and food shopping.
“Scotland’s railways are a success story under the SNP with ScotRail brought into public ownership and new lines opened with Borders Railway and the Levenmouth rail link.
“We’ve shown what we can do with limited powers, now it’s time the Labour Government handed over full powers over track and trains so we can complete the job.”
The party has also renewed calls for full devolution of Network Rail to Holyrood, arguing that greater control would allow further improvements to Scotland’s rail network.
For Highland commuters travelling daily between towns and cities, the policy has meant cheaper tickets at times that were once the most expensive.
