TRAIN fares will be slashed across Scotland in a bid to encourage people back to the rails after lockdown.

ScotRail ticket prices will be halved only on off-peak services on weekdays but must be booked online between May 9 to May 15.

The move has been hailed by the Scottish Greens as an opportunity to “support people as the Tory cost of living crisis bites”.

Outward travel must be undertaken between May 9 and May 31 inclusive and return travel must be completed by June 30.

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The 50% cut offer will only be available online through the ScotRail website.

It will mean an off-peak return between Glasgow and Edinburgh will cost just £9.55, while a return between Inverness and Aberdeen will cost £23.85.

A day return will cost £5.85 between Glasgow and Ayr or Galashiels and Edinburgh.

Lesley Kane, ScotRail’s commercial director, said: “The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way people travel, and it is an absolutely priority for ScotRail to do everything we can to attract customers to Scotland’s Railway.

“We hope this offer means more people can get out and enjoy Scotland throughout the month of May, whether for a day out or a holiday.”

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Chris Gibb, the CEO Scottish Rail Holdings, said: “The Scottish Government appreciates this is a short term offer – that’s one of the reasons why it has committed to a fair fares review, which will consider public transport across differing modes and which will also look at affordability.

“Public ownership of ScotRail means delivering a service which listens and responds to passenger need – we will continue to work together to develop further initiatives with longer term benefits that make rail a better choice as we work towards our ambitious Net Zero targets.”

Transport minister Jenny Gilruth said: "This is one of the first commitments from the SNP Scottish Government since taking Scotrail into public hands and will encourage more people to use Scotland’s railways as we emerge from the pandemic.

“Scotland’s rail fares are already 20% cheaper than anywhere else in the UK. This change will see commuters making huge savings across Scotland’s network, which will take the pressure off families during the Tory made cost of living crisis."

Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said: “I warmly welcome the news that rail fares in Scotland are to be slashed throughout the month of May.

“With Greens in government we’ve already delivered free bus travel for young people and I’m pleased that there’s now a focus on making rail travel more affordable. 

“It’s vital that we explore every avenue to support people as the Tory cost of living crisis bites and I’m sure this rail fare reduction will be positively received by the public.”