Happy times ahead as kids go free with First ScotRail

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Happy times ahead as kids go free with First ScotRail

Children aged between 5 and 15 will be able to travel free on First ScotRail trains across the country seven days a week from Sunday 18 May.  

The move makes First ScotRail the first train operator in the UK to provide such an offer – and will provide a welcome financial boost for parents, especially during the summer holidays which can be a costly business.      

More than 200,000 children in the eligible age group travelled free last year.  By extending the offer to seven days a week, First ScotRail expects a significant uplift in the number of children travelling on their trains.   

Under the ‘Kids Go Free’ initiative, each travelling adult can take up to two children free of charge on First ScotRail services outwith peak travel periods.  Parents can also save money by choosing off-peak fares.   There is also no need to book in advance - simply turn up, buy a ticket and go.  

Peter Williams, First ScotRail’s commercial director, said: “From 18 May, kids travel free every day of the week – it’s really that simple. With hundreds of attractions throughout Scotland, we are playing our part in keeping the fun factor high and the cost factor low.  We hope that many more families will get out and about by train this summer.”  

Passenger Focus welcomed the initiative. Robert Samson, passenger link manager, said: “The extension of the Kids Go Free offer to cover seven days a week will hopefully encourage more families to take advantage of rail travel and is an indication of First ScotRail’s commitment to attracting more people to sample what the rail network can offer.”    

Until now, free travel for children travelling with parents, relatives or family friends was available at weekends.

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