Removal of peak fares from ScotRail services: FOI release

Information requested

1. When was the decision to scrap peak rail fares taken by Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government.

Please include the date and time the decision was (i) taken and (ii) communicated to wider officials at Transport Scotland.

2. Confirmation of the number of meetings Transport Scotland held regarding the policy to scrap peak rail fares before the decision was taken.

please provide the date of each of those meetings.

3. A copy of the email which contained the communication of the decision. 

In other words a copy of the email chain which communicates that the decision has been taken. 

4. A copy of the spreadsheet or document which shows the breakdown of costs for the policy. 

Of course you can redact certain things but please leave any info which shows that the policy is fully costed (states where money comes from or what else has been cut to pay for the policy)
 

Response

Point 1 of your request

Whilst we aim to provide information whenever possible, on this occasion the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested.

On part (i) of this question, this is because the decision to remove peak fares from ScotRail services from 1 September 2025 was not a single issue decision but was taken as part of the collective Cabinet process to finalise and agree the Programme for Government. However, it might be helpful to note that Cabinet considered the Programme for Government on numerous occasions over April and May. The First Minister confirmed to Cabinet on the morning of 6 May that the finalised Programme for Government would be published that afternoon.

On part (ii) of this question, whilst we aim to provide information whenever possible, on this occasion the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested. The Permanent Secretary, as principal policy advisor to the First Minister and Secretary to the Scottish Cabinet, attends Cabinet and is aware of all Cabinet decisions, but the responsibility for communicating the publication of the Programme for Government to all Directorate or agency staff will vary locally across the Scottish Government and its agencies. However, it might be helpful to note that an article confirming the publication of the Programme for Government and directing staff to the full document was published to all Scottish Government and agency staff aligned to the publication of the final document on 6 May.

As such, we hereby provide you with formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

Point 2 of your request

There were two meetings held by Transport Scotland on 2nd of May regarding the removal of peak fares from ScotRail services.

Point 3 of your request

Whilst we aim to provide information whenever possible, on this occasion the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested.

This is because as set out in our response to Point 1 of your request, the decision to remove peak fares from ScotRail services from 1 September 2025 was not a single issue decision, but was taken as part of the collective Cabinet process to finalise and agree the Programme for Government.

As such, we hereby provide you with formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

Point 4 of your request

You may be aware that the Scottish Government trialled removal of peak fares for a year between October 2023 and September 2024. This trial has been carefully analysed and its evaluation was provided to the Ministers before the decision to abolish peak fares from ScotRail services was taken.

The evaluation of the cost of the policy to remove peak fares from ScotRail services is contained within the Final Evaluation Report and this can be found on Transport Scotland’s website: ScotRail Peak Fares Removal Pilot - Final Evaluation Report - August 2024 | Transport Scotland.

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact us again and we will send you a paper copy.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.