Peak train fares across Ayrshire have been scrapped for the next six months to encourage more people to travel on the railway. 

The new initiative allows passengers to travel by rail all day and pay off-peak fares, with the scheme ending in March next year. 

Train operator ScotRail says the new pricing will save passengers huge sums of money across the country, with some ticket prices even halving. 

Alex Hynes, ScotRail managing director, said: “Everyone across ScotRail has been working flat out to make sure everything is in place for the start of the hugely exciting trial and all ticketing systems are now up to date.

“That means customers can now start to plan their journeys and check to see what impact the changes will have on the cost of travel for them.

“We are looking forward to a successful trial and we hope to see as many people as possibly choose rail travel instead of using the car.”

First Minister Humza Yousaf has said the Scottish Government has allocated around £15 million for the six-month pilot.