A pilot scheme scrapping peak-time ScotRail fares will end in September following “limited success”.

Transport Scotland said the project, which saw ticket prices subsidised by the Scottish government and standardised across the day, “did not achieve its aims” of persuading more people to swap car journeys for rail travel.

Analysis by the body recommended ending the scheme due to financial pressures, while also increasing fares on popular peak-time routes including those between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Critics have described the decision to terminate the scheme from 27 September as a “hammer blow” for commuters and the climate.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said there had been an increase in passenger levels of about 6.8% during the pilot but it would need to be 10% in order for the policy to be self-financing.

She said the pilot "primarily benefitted existing train passengers and those with medium to higher incomes".

She added: “The pilot will have been welcome in saving many passengers hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds during the cost of living crisis but this level of subsidy cannot continue in the current financial climate on that measure alone."

First Minister John Swinney announced the extension of the scheme, introduced in October 2023, until the end of September on a visit to Edinburgh’s Waverley Station in May.

It had initially been due to last six months and saw the cost of a rush hour ticket between the capital and Glasgow nearly halved from £28.90 to £14.90.

When the scheme ends, the price of the top ticket on that route will rise by 8.6% to £31.40.