Peak rail fares across Scotland are to be scrapped from September, the first minster has announced.
John Swinney said the Scottish government would scrap the practice of raising train prices at busier times for good to “put more money in people’s pockets."
A pilot scheme scrapping peak-time ScotRail fares was introduced in 2023 but ended in September following "limited success."
In his programme for government speech, Swinney told MSPs: "Last year, in the face of severe budget pressures, we took the difficult decision to end the peak fares pilot on our railways.
"But now, given the work we have done to get Scotland's finances in a stronger position, and hearing also the calls from commuters, from climate activists and from the business community, I can confirm that, from 1 September this year, peak rail fares in Scotland will be scrapped for good.
"A decision that will put more money in people's pockets and mean less CO2 is pumped into our skies."
During his speech he also promised to scrap a discredited alcohol ban on ScotRail trains. He described the rules, which were introduced during the pandemic as "counterproductive and ineffective."