Scotrail price hikes have gone off the rails

No, it's not a pre-planned April Fool, it is in fact the case that as of April this year, Scotrail will be increasing their fares by 3.8%.  This is across the board including their travel passes.

This might not seem entirely off the rails as a single increase, however, last April, 2024, Scotrail increased their fares by 8.7%.

Ooof, they must have thought when they got around the table to discuss how to squeeze the public further, 3.8% will seen like nothing compared to 8.7% therefore everyone will accept it.

The thing is, the public are getting to the point where they cannot afford it.  

At the moment it costs £369.80 for a season card...that only takes you between Glasgow and Edinburgh on 5 days each week.  That is with a discount.  It's also going up on April the 1st.

Fiona Hyslop, secretary for Transport said that the hikes were unwelcome but felt that they were needed to keep rail travel attractive and...well...affordable.

I read by that logic that by increasing rail fares it keeps rail travel cheap.  SNP economics have always been a bit off the wall but that takes the biscuit.

My calculations below are based on people living in Edinburgh or surrounding area who work in Glasgow.  These price increases will affect workers and commuters across the country.

Let's look at it for the average worker living in Edinburgh though.  Probably paying an absolutely shocking £1,000 + rent (if not slightly less for a mortgage).  Lowest council tax in Edinburgh is £1,329 per year (that includes our water rates because we do pay them, just through council tax) so split that to 12 that would make it £110.75 per month approx.  £200 on utilities, £200 on food and other essentials.  That's look like £1,510 approx before adding travel costs.  We know that the season card for Scotrail for five days of journeys between Edinburgh and Glasgow is £369.80.  Lothian Buses charge £66 for a months Ridacard (currently allowing travel on buses and trams) and a quick look at Glasgow prices suggest about the same so I'll go with £66 for them as well.  Outgoings of just over £2,000 per month.  Not to add on anything that might bring someone enjoyment you know, like a streaming service, or a trip to the cinema, a meal out.  

That's for one person living alone, which quite a few people want to do these days.  Even split with rent and bills with one other person that doesn't leave much for just, you know...living. 

Scotrail might also want to take a few other things into consideration.  They don't offer a good service for what people are already paying.  Regular commuters will know how bad the services are and how often they are cancelled.  Peak times between Edinburgh and Glasgow (and vice versa) running with minimum carriages so there is little to no chance of a seat, instead you've got to stand.  If you're lucky enough to get a strap to hang onto then you'll find yourself with your nose in someone's armpit and find someone in yours.  You're jammed in and jammed in more and more at each station.  It's not attractive Fiona Hyslop and it never will be.

The train between Edinburgh and Glasgow is about an hour in length.  Central of one city to another.  Well, you can do the same in a car, theoretically.  I used Google Maps to chart a car journey between the Scott Monument in Edinburgh and Sauchiehall Street and the timings are the same as the jammed up train journey.  Not entirely an exact experiment but near enough.

Scotrail were meant to be working with the Scottish Government to increase rail travel and reduce car travel.  Get people out of their gas guzzlers, yet, with this new announcement they have all but priced people off the rails.