Scotland Rail Ridership Climbs Despite Car Surge
ScotRail sees 84.7 million journeys in 2024/25, up 4% but still 12% below 2019 levels
ScotRail Ridership Rises 4% Despite Car Use Surge
ScotRail recorded 84.7 million passenger journeys in 2024/25, a 4% increase from the previous year, according to Transport Scotland data released this week. The growth comes as Scotland's car and van usage reached record highs, with vehicles traveling 49.3 billion kilometers in 2024. Rail ridership remains 12% below pre-pandemic levels from 2019/20, officials said.
Context
The ridership figures reflect ongoing recovery challenges for public transit following COVID-19 disruptions. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said working patterns and travel behaviors have changed since the pandemic, requiring flexible planning. Bus journeys also increased 2% to 334 million in 2024/25, though that's still 7% below pre-pandemic levels. The data shows Scotland's 3.2 million registered cars and vans continue to dominate transportation choices, particularly in rural areas where transit options are limited.
Fare Changes
Hyslop noted the statistics predate recent fare initiatives designed to boost ridership. The government permanently removed peak rail fares and implemented a rail fares freeze to make train travel more affordable. Officials also launched a £2 bus fare cap pilot program. Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Sue Webber criticized the approach, stating drivers are being unfairly targeted with measures like Low Emission Zones and potential congestion charges while public transit struggles to recover.
Implementation
The SNP government had aimed to phase out petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032 and introduced low-emission zones in Scotland's four biggest cities. Officials haven't said whether the 2032 target remains achievable given current vehicle usage trends. The fare reduction programs are already in effect, though officials didn't specify how long the initiatives will continue or what ridership targets they hope to achieve.
Rider Impact
Riders benefit from eliminated peak fares and frozen base fares on ScotRail services, making train travel more predictable for budget planning. The £2 bus fare cap provides affordable options for shorter trips. Officials said they'll continue monitoring ridership patterns to adjust service levels, though specific plans for frequency changes weren't announced. Moovit provides real-time ScotRail schedules and service updates for riders planning trips across Scotland's rail network.
