More than 48 million passenger journeys were made with ScotRail during a bumper spring and summer, as increasing numbers of people chose the train for work, leisure, and some of Scotland’s biggest events.
A total of 48,419,573 journeys were recorded between 1 April and 30 September 2026 – an increase of more than 3.1 million, or 7%, compared with the same six-month period last year.
The latest figures continue a sustained rise in passenger numbers since ScotRail returned to public ownership in April 2022.
Between April and September 2022, 31,212,745 journeys were recorded. That means the number of journeys made during the same six months of 2026 has increased by more than 17.2 million (55%) in four years.
New independent figures published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) also show ScotRail performing strongly compared with other train operators across Britain.
ScotRail recorded 23.5 million journeys between April and June 2026, 8% more than during the same period last year. That was the highest year-on-year percentage growth of any large train operating company. Across Great Britain as a whole, passenger journeys increased by just two per cent.
The spring and summer period was the first full six months of warmer-weather travel since peak fares were permanently removed from ScotRail services in September 2025, making rail travel simpler and offering significant savings on many journeys. Fares are also frozen until March 2027.
Passenger numbers were boosted by an action-packed summer of major events, including the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Edinburgh Festivals, and concerts from Calvin Harris, Luke Combs, and Bon Jovi, alongside TRNSMT, and the Summer Sessions.
ScotRail added extra services and seats throughout the summer to help customers get to and from events. More than 1,400 additional carriages were provided during the Commonwealth Games alone, while the week from Sunday, 26 July to Saturday, 1 August saw more than 2.1 million journeys – the busiest week since ScotRail returned to public ownership. July as a whole recorded 8,423,512 journeys, almost 900,000 more than in July 2025.
Promotions have also encouraged more leisure travel. ScotRail’s £60 Family Pass gave up to two adults and four children seven consecutive days of unlimited travel during the Easter holidays, with the popular offer returning for the October school break. More than 800,000 journeys were made over the Easter weekend alone, 4% more than the previous year.
ScotRail Chief Operating Officer David Ross said: “More than 48 million journeys in just six months is a fantastic milestone and shows the strength of the growth we are seeing across ScotRail. It’s a testament to the hard work of our staff who are delivering a great service for customers.
“From the Commonwealth Games and Edinburgh Festivals to some of the biggest concerts and events in the country, huge numbers of people continue to choose ScotRail to get them to special occasions.
“But this growth is about more than major events. Removing peak fares makes travelling by train simpler and better value, while offers like our Family Pass are giving customers even more reasons to leave the car at home and enjoy days out by rail.
“The independent ORR figures underline that momentum, with ScotRail recording stronger growth than other similar sized operators across Britain.
“We’ll remain focussed on delivering a safe, reliable, and great value service that gives people the confidence to keep choosing ScotRail.”
Image credit: ScotRail
