Call for ScotRail to remove first class seating as majority goes unused

FIRST class seats should be removed from ScotRail trains to free up capacity on busy services, the Scottish Greens have said.

Investigations by party researchers discovered that in 2023/24 only 2% of first class seats allocated were being used, meaning the vast majority sat empty with many in standard class being left to stand up.

Further data released under Freedom of Information showed in 2021/22, only 1% of first class rail seats were used across all lines in Scotland where they are available, with 1.73% in 2022/23.

From April 2023 to April 2024, 39,000 first class tickets were bought on Scotrail services – a tiny fraction of the two million that were available.

The Greens say that following a Scottish Government decision to ditch off-peak fares at all times of day, first class seats should be removed as part of a “rail renaissance”.

Mark Ruskell (below), the party’s transport spokesperson, said your experience travelling on the railway should not be determined by your ability to pay extra.

He said: “Our railways should be for all of us. Every journey on a Scotrail service should be a first class experience, it shouldn’t be determined by your ability to pay extra.

 “We’ve all been in the situation where we struggle to find seats or are forced to stand in cramped carriages, only for first class to be almost completely empty. That’s such a waste. It’s not good for anyone.

(Image: Scottish Greens)  “Rail companies across the UK are reducing first class services. It is time for Scotrail to do the same. If we are to have a rail renaissance in Scotland we need low cost, reliable and accessible rail.

“By removing so-called first class carriages we can increase capacity while building a fairer, better and more inclusive rail network that works for passengers, staff and the planet.”

 London Northwestern Railway, Southeastern Rail and Greater Anglia have all taken steps to phase out first-class seats in recent years.

The Scottish Greens are calling for the immediate declassification of first class carriages until such time as they can be replaced by standard class seating.

ScotRail said first-class tickets generate around £8 million each year for the nationalised company.

The transport provider has no plans to remove the fares

Claire Dickie, ScotRail commercial director, said: “ScotRail offers first class on board selected services connecting Scotland's cities, and the revenue generated from this service is reinvested to deliver wider benefits for all customers.”