ScotRail records busiest day under public ownership as Christmas travel peaks
ScotRail has recorded another record-breaking day for passenger journeys.
More than 345,000 journeys were made across Scotland’s Railway on Friday, 12 December – the highest daily total this year and the most journeys in one day since the start of public ownership in April 2022.
The record number of journeys (345,216) surpasses previous highs seen during major events, including the Edinburgh Festivals, large concerts such as Taylor Swift and Oasis, and sporting matches, and highlights a strong demand for rail travel as Christmas approaches.
Customers have been travelling to Christmas parties, markets, shopping trips, and nights out as well as commuters taking advantage of better value fares.
To help manage the busy season leading up to Christmas, ScotRail has been running longer trains on weekends and adding late-night services on key routes, providing more seats and options for customers to travel safely and sustainably during the holiday season.
On 1 September, in a first for rail travel anywhere in Britain, the Scottish Government permanently removed peak fares across ScotRail services, simplifying tickets and offering better value for money.
Removing peak fares has helped encourage more people to leave the car at home and travel by rail by offering significant savings across the country. Some journeys have been reduced by almost 50 per cent – including those between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
David Ross, ScotRail Chief Operating Officer, said:
“We thank customers for their continuing support.
“It’s great to see so many people choosing to travel with ScotRail at one of the busiest times of the year.
“Friday’s record numbers show the hard work of our teams in adding extra services, running longer trains, and supporting our customers during this busy season.
“With Christmas parties, shopping trips, and celebrations underway – and with peak fares gone for good – rail offers a simple, cost-effective way to travel.
“We’ll keep focusing on providing the reliable service, seats, and support our customers expect as we approach Christmas and the New Year.”
Source: ScotRail
