ScotRail Introduces £10 Minimum Fare to Combat Ticketless Travel

ScotRail is set to implement a £10 minimum fare for passengers who board trains without a valid ticket, a measure aimed at reducing fare evasion, which costs the railway network over £11 million annually. The policy will take effect in July 2026, following a public awareness campaign starting on April 1, 2026. This minimum fare will often exceed the standard fare for short journeys; for instance, a return ticket from Bishopbriggs to Glasgow Queen Street costs £3, meaning those without a ticket would incur a charge more than three times the standard fare.

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The decision to introduce a minimum fare follows an independent analysis revealing that 74% of ticketless travelers had access to an open ticket office, while 90% had access to a functioning ticket vending machine but chose not to use these facilities. ScotRail aims to educate passengers about the importance of purchasing tickets before boarding, as well as to address anti-social behavior often linked to fare evasion.

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Certain exemptions to the minimum fare policy include passengers holding a national entitlement card, those traveling from stations without ticket offices or vending machines, and individuals with disabilities that prevent them from using ticket machines. Additionally, staff will have discretion to issue the minimum fare based on individual circumstances. Passengers who can only pay with cash at unmanned stations will need to obtain a 'promise to pay' ticket from a vending machine before boarding.

ScotRail to tackle ticketless travel with new minimum fareScotRail to introduce £10 minimum fare for ticketless passengers — including stations with only vending machinesGlasgow LiveScotRail to charge £10 minimum fare for passengers who don't have time to buy a ticket before boarding

Phil Campbell, ScotRail's Customer Operations Director, emphasized the need for fairness among fare-paying passengers, stating, “Every pound lost through fraudulent travel is money that would have been reinvested into the railway.” He noted that the introduction of the minimum fare is a step towards ensuring that everyone using ScotRail services pays their fair share. Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, supported the initiative, highlighting that the policy will act as a deterrent against fare evasion while protecting the significant investments made in Scotland's railways.

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While the policy is designed to deter fare evasion, it has raised concerns regarding its impact on passengers who may be unable to purchase tickets due to unforeseen circumstances, such as being in a rush. Critics argue that the minimum fare could disproportionately affect those who genuinely cannot buy a ticket before boarding, despite the exemptions in place.

ScotRail to tackle ticketless travel with new minimum fare

ScotRail's Revenue Protection team has already seen a reduction in ticketless travel from 8.8% to 3.7% since April 2022, attributed to enhanced monitoring and staff training. The introduction of the minimum fare is expected to further decrease instances of fare evasion and improve overall revenue, which is crucial for the sustainability of the rail service.

ScotRail to tackle ticketless travel with new minimum fare

• “Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: “The introduction of a minimum fare will target the small number of customers who don’t buy a ticket before they travel, ensuring fairness for honest, fare-paying ScotRail passengers.” — Phil Campbell, Customer Operations Director, ScotRail

ScotRail to tackle ticketless travel with new minimum fare

• “This approach seeks to protect the significant investment being made in Scotland’s Railways, while also allowing for a period of customer education regards the new policy.” — Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport

ScotRail to tackle ticketless travel with new minimum fare