SCOTRAIL fares have now increased by more than eight per cent.

It comes after Transport Scotland announced the proposed price hike in December last year.

As of April 1 the cost of all services on the network, including season tickets and flexipasses, has risen by 8.7 per cent.

A ticket from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh Waverley now costs £16 up from £14.90. 

Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Transport, said this is due to the previous fare freeze for season tickets and flexipasses in Scotland ‘no longer being sustainable’.

It is understood that the scrapping of peak time fares pilot will however be extended for a further three months until June 2024.

Commenting on the rise in December Ms Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government rightly made the decision to freeze flexi-pass and season ticket prices as part of its response to the cost-of-living crisis.

“While this has now remained in place for almost two years, it is simply no longer sustainable. From April 1, 2024, all ScotRail fares will increase by 8.7 per cent.

“We know that any increase is unwelcome for passengers, therefore we have kept the rise as low as possible to maintain the attractiveness and affordability of rail as a travel option.

“We continue to look at ways to encourage greater rail use and that is why we are extending our peak fares pilot for a further three months until June 2024.

“Fares and fares increases remain, on average, lower than across the rest of Great Britain. ScotRail also continue to develop fares initiatives which can help attract more passengers, while offering savings and added value to existing rail users.

“We are committed to investing in public transport and through this latest budget we will provide more than £2.5 billion to support it.

“This includes over £1.6 billion to operate, maintain and improve Scotland’s railway, £430 million in funding for concessionary travel and bus services, and £434 million to operate and invest in our ferries.” 

Commuters have taken to social media to share their frustration following the introduction of the increase on Monday.

One person said: “ScotRail increasing prices. The first train I go to get is delayed by ten minutes.”

A second commented: “Thought it was an April fool’s joke when buying my ScotRail ticket this morning as the price is up nearly ten per cent.

“While it is a joke, it’s no April Fool’s Day.”

Caledonian Sleep fares, excluding seated tickets, were also subject to an 8.7 per cent price increase on January 1.