Scottish Nationwide Free Travel Scheme - Rail charges for Companion?

patwa_2

Hello.

I know this is really short notice but was wondering if anyone could help.

My mum and I are thinking of travelling from Aberdeen to Dundee by train this morning (leaving around 06:30.

I was wondering if anyone could confirm something about the Scottish Nationwide Free Travl Scheme? Does the companion pay the full fare for rail transport, do they pay only half the fare or do they go free like they do on buses? We'll be travelling by GNER.

Hope someone can get to this in time, and thanks for the help. I would ask, but doubt GNER are open past midnight.

Hussein.

petal_2

sorry I don't know, but I didn't realise that companions went free on the buses. Do you have more details on that?

Have a nice journey!

patwa_2

Hi. the scheme came into effect throughout Scotland for buses, trains, metro and ferries on 01 April 2006. It allows card holders (card is free though you need a doctor's certificate to certify eligibility) to travel on all forms of public transport (except some carriers who do not subscribe to the scheme) to travel free of charge on any journes or part journeys within Scotland, including journeys to the Outer Isles, Orkney or Shetland. Companions travelling with card holders on public buses go free. I'd like to know if that also applies to rail transport.

Cheers and take care.

Hussein.

bcl999

The Scotland-wide scheme applies to bus travel only, although, within Strathclyde, for example, you can still get reduced (not free) rail travel as well. Also, if you live on the islands, I think you get concessionary ferry travel. I don't know about the other regions. For more info, visit https://www.transportscotland.gov.uk. I think for GNER, you will need a railcard for a discount but I may be wrong.