ScotRail prices set to be slashed as peak fares scrapped for good

[Nearly Sane]

Hurrah


https://news.stv.tv/politics/scotrail-prices-set-to-be-slashed-as-scottish-governments-scraps-peak-fares-for-good

[Gonnagle]

Dear Sane,

Hurrah indeed! This is how you keep a country moving, this is how you grow an economy, people should never be burdened for simply travelling to their place of work, although personally why anyone would want to work or go to shortbread city is another question that leaves me mystified, the very thought brings me out in a cold sweat

Gonnagle.

[ProfessorDavey]

Dear Sane,

Hurrah indeed! This is how you keep a country moving, this is how you grow an economy, people should never be burdened for simply travelling to their place of work, although personally why anyone would want to work or go to shortbread city is another question that leaves me mystified, the very thought brings me out in a cold sweat

Gonnagle.

I'm all for simplifying ticketing - currently it is a nightmare. But not sure this will be good news for everyone. The headline is all about scrapping peak fares, but delve deep into the article and they are also scrapping super off-peak fares. So presumably the off-peak fare will be the only one left. So while those travelling at peak times will pay less, presumably those travelling at the quietest times will pay more as super off-peak won't be available.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Prof,

The job of Government is to build the economy, to keep it flowing, I say more trains better public transport, people arriving at their work with a smile on their face and dear Prof it may have escaped your notice but the motorways are complete madness, that is not a over statement but plain fact, off peak! well to quote a certain PM, you can please some of the people..................

Gonnagle.

[ProfessorDavey]

Dear Prof,

The job of Government is to build the economy, to keep it flowing, I say more trains better public transport, people arriving at their work with a smile on their face and dear Prof it may have escaped your notice but the motorways are complete madness, that is not a over statement but plain fact, off peak! well to quote a certain PM, you can please some of the people..................

Gonnagle.

Hi Gonners - I'm going to post my reply in chucks as I'm having further issues with the system refusing longer posts.

[ProfessorDavey]

Hi Gonners,

I don't disagree with you that efficient and affordable public transport is absolutely vital to the economy.

My point was that I'd be concerned that this is merely a zero sum game - effectively some people paying less - those travelling at peak time - but balanced by others paying more (those currently able to buy super off-peak tickets which are to be abolished). We need rail prices to come down across the board.

[ProfessorDavey]

But pricing isn't the only thing that drives people off public transport and onto overcrowded road. There is also convenience and reliability. Regardless of cost of tickets people will vote with their feet and opt to drive if the train is unreliable, with poor service intervals, overcrowded and uncomfortable. And to deal with both ticket costs and reliability there needs to be very major investment, which will likely pay back in terms of economic growth but that will take a long while. In my view it is worth it.

[ProfessorDavey]

But all of this needs to be paid for and I'd like to see a coherence and comprehensive strategy, with pricing being just one element. Not much benefit if you discourage people who might have travelled at super off-peak time (and have a price rise) but the system doesn't have the capacity and efficiency to deal with others who could benefit from lower fares at peak time.

[ProfessorDavey]

And I've seen this work first hand with the Elizabeth Line which is a complete game changer in London. Comfortable, reliable and the same price as a journey on any other part of the tube network. And it is so successful that 1 in 8 rail journeys across all railways in the UK are on the Elizabeth Line. That is an astonishing statistic.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Prof,

Yes it is a bit hit and miss at the moment with the forum, God Bless auld Gordon and all the hard work he is putting in ( I know he will like the God Bless bit ) anyway, I have read all your posts and most definitely no arguments from me.

And I had not read much about the new Elizabeth line but to me it is a no brainer.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/11/britain-elizabeth-line-railway-treasury-birmingham-manchester-leeds

But I do say that the first priority should be helping the work force arrive happy and comfortably to their place of work, another no brainer.

Gonnagle.