Scotrail extends Christmas tickets discount for students in Inverness and the rest of Scotland to make it more affordable to return to university in 2021 following the decision to stagger the return of undergraduates over at least six weeks in a package of measures to minimise the spread of coronavirus

Students have been able to take advantage of half price travel on any off-peak ScotRail service until Christmas Eve but the deadline to make the return journey has been extended from January 23 until February 19.

This follows the decision by Scottish universities to stagger the return of undergraduates over at least six weeks, in a package of measures to minimise the spread of Covid-19.

The extension will be a huge boost to students who are worried about getting back to their campuses under new coronavirus travel restrictions, or who might be self-isolating.

The off-peak half price offer will be a flexible, open-return ticket valid for eight weeks after purchase, which will allow most students to return to their studies in January and February after recording another negative coronavirus test. The discount will be available on both off-peak day return and off-peak return tickets.

Students who purchased the discounted tickets up until 24 December will have until 19 February to use the return portion of the journey, even if the ticket shows an earlier valid to date.

Students are being reminded to check public health restrictions for the start and end of their journey to ensure they are complying with the law and, like all customers, they are being urged to observe the five rules for safer travel, including wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distancing.

Lesley Kane, ScotRail's commercial director, said: “Students have been told to stagger their return to university after the Christmas and New Year break, and we wanted to help them make their plans for that by extending our half price offer.

“We’re sure it will be very popular amongst students who are understandably worried about the impact coronavirus will have on their studies.”

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