After two years of campaigning, companions of blind and partially sighted people will travel free on all ScotRail journeys from 1st April 2025.
The pilot is available to National Entitlement Card holders with the eye+1 symbol, who can bring along a companion free of charge.
The pilot scheme, which will run for one year, aims to make train travel more affordable and accessible for blind and partially sighted passengers by introducing a consistent, nationwide policy for free companion rail travel, aligning with existing concessionary bus and ferry travel across Scotland.
Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart, marked the launch during an event at Anniesland Station in Glasgow, where the Minister was joined by Sight Scotland Chief Executive, Craig Spalding, and representatives and campaigners from both Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans.
I am genuinely delighted to be launching this pilot, which is testament to the hard work by all those involved in the campaign to bring this about. Making rail travel more accessible and affordable for people with sight loss is an important step in helping them access communities, education, and employment.
We are delighted that the Scottish Government is introducing this pilot. After over two years of campaigning, this is a significant achievement for our Fair Rail Campaign. Thanks to collaboration with ScotRail and Transport Scotland, rail travel will become more accessible and affordable for people with sight loss across Scotland.
Campaigner Colette Walker who attended the launch with guide dog Barley, explains the importance of the upcoming pilot: “This will make such a difference to me financially, as well as to my safety and quality of life.”
Gus Cross, who served with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, has sight loss due to an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy. He has been involved in the fair rail campaign from the beginning.
Due to my sight loss, my ability to get out independently has been affected. I can’t really use the trains on my own. The problem is seeing what’s on the timetables, so I’d have to have my wife with me. It gives me more independence to have someone there with me. People with disabilities, including people with sight loss, often need help to make sure they’re getting to the right platform and getting on the right train.
The Fair Rail Campaign was launched over two years ago by Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans after being approached by individuals who were concerned about rising travel costs and the confusion surrounding various concessionary schemes.
The charities brought the issue to the Scottish Parliament, where it was debated in a Members Debate brought forward by Graham Simpson MSP and considered in the Fair Fares Review, ultimately leading to this pilot scheme.
I welcome the launch of the fair rail campaign pilot. This is long overdue after many years of campaigning by Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, who first brought the issue to my attention several years ago. For many blind and partially sighted people, having a companion can mean the difference between travelling or not travelling. This pilot is a step in the right direction, but I would urge the Scottish Government to get on with implementing a national policy that entitles the companions of people with sight loss to free rail travel, to make our rail network more equitable and accessible for everyone.
You can read more about the official announcement on the Transport Scotland website now by visiting Minister for Equalities Launches Blind Companion pilot scheme | Transport Scotland.
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