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ScotRail - New app / website booking engine from 30 July 2026

snookertam

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Joined
22 Sep 2018
Messages
923
Only ScotRail could introduce a £10 minimum fare to encourage the buying of tickets in advance, whilst at the same time create huge obstacles to people buying tickets in advance.
 
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RailUK Forums

trei2k

Member
Joined
25 May 2010
Messages
226
Just a reminder for people in the Central Belt (in the area coloured below):


Screenshot 2026-08-07 at 09.54.37.png

[Image above shows a network map of the Central Belt of Scotland with a number of lines highlighted in colour.]

PDF link to map: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/media/48457/download?inline

... the Tap & Pay app is available. The app generates a barcode and uses GPS to work out where you've been. Handy if you are doing lots of short trips around Glasgow, for example. (I know it isn't perfect, but another option for people in addition to using other retailers).

Further information on ScotRail's website: tap-pay
 

davp

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2015
Messages
140
Handy if you are doing lots of short trips around Glasgow

The Roundabout ticket is also good value for trips around Glasgow.

Not all of the app providers offer the Season Loyalty Discount as a railcard which gives 1/3 off if you have an active season on a Smartcard - which was the main reason I used the Scotrail app. Tap and Pay doesn't either.
 

kkong

Member
Joined
8 Sep 2008
Messages
1,125
I noticed the ScotRail app doesn't allow use of the 16-17 Saver, despite it being valid on other operators' services in Scotland.

They're not alone in that though: LNER don't show the Club 50 railcard in their app / website, despite it being valid on LNER services in Scotland.
 

teaspoon

Member
Joined
31 May 2011
Messages
61
... the Tap & Pay app is available. The app generates a barcode and uses GPS to work out where you've been. Handy if you are doing lots of short trips around Glasgow, for example. (I know it isn't perfect, but another option for people in addition to using other retailers).
worth mentioning that it can cap in ways you might not expect - last week I went to Paisley on three days, then made some shorter trips into town on some other days, and I ended up being charged for a 7 day season from my local station to Paisley (even including some journeys which I wouldn't have considered being on a valid route, eg out to Dalmarnock.)
On the other hand, it doesn't know about the Roundabout ticket, so in certain situations you're better buying one of those.)
 

sannox

Member
Joined
1 Mar 2016
Messages
649
worth mentioning that it can cap in ways you might not expect - last week I went to Paisley on three days, then made some shorter trips into town on some other days, and I ended up being charged for a 7 day season from my local station to Paisley (even including some journeys which I wouldn't have considered being on a valid route, eg out to Dalmarnock.)
On the other hand, it doesn't know about the Roundabout ticket, so in certain situations you're better buying one of those.)
It also can cap wrongly. It doesn't seem to know about Scotrail interavailable stations and on the Cathcart Circle going Glasgow to Kings Park and back from Cathcart is charged at 2 singles.
 

kkong

Member
Joined
8 Sep 2008
Messages
1,125
The pinned tweet from David Ross (Chief Operating Officer), which had been on ScotRail's X account since lunchtime on 30th July, has been replaced with another pinned tweet from the same hapless senior manager, which continues to downplay the severity of the situation.

Over 600,000 people have downloaded our new app, and it's working well for most of our customers.

We know some customers are still having issues, particularly with season tickets and Flexipasses. We're working to fix them as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.

David Ross says in the accompanying video:

It's working really well for the vast majority of people.

Under what criteria can the app be described as "working really well"?

Have they read the reviews on the app stores?

The replies to the tweet are as you might expect.

Pinned Tweet.png
 

alxndr

Established Member
Joined
3 Apr 2015
Messages
1,672
Can the TrainSplit app be used for journeys wholly on ScotRail? I’d discounted it as it says e-ticket rather than m-ticket, but I’d like to suggest a way for my partner to avoid having to switch to the new app.

I’m not familiar with e/m-tickets as they’re not an option for me.
 

megabusser

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2019
Messages
92
Location
Edinburgh
Can the TrainSplit app be used for journeys wholly on ScotRail? I’d discounted it as it says e-ticket rather than m-ticket, but I’d like to suggest a way for my partner to avoid having to switch to the new app.

I’m not familiar with e/m-tickets as they’re not an option for me.

Some ScotRail tickets can be sold as e-tickets (eg Edinburgh to Glasgow works fine). Others aren’t e-ticket enabled and you’ll only get them as ToD (pick up at a ticket machine with a code) from TrainSplit. Trial and error with the tickets you need is the only way to find out as far as I know. I think more (all?) Scotrail tickets are to be enabled for e-ticket over time.

Alternatively, the Northern app will do m-tickets, but doesn’t do splits.
 

superkopite

Member
Joined
14 Jan 2016
Messages
232
Some ScotRail tickets can be sold as e-tickets (eg Edinburgh to Glasgow works fine). Others aren’t e-ticket enabled and you’ll only get them as ToD (pick up at a ticket machine with a code) from TrainSplit. Trial and error with the tickets you need is the only way to find out as far as I know. I think more (all?) Scotrail tickets are to be enabled for e-ticket over time.

Alternatively, the Northern app will do m-tickets, but doesn’t do splits.
I think only ScotRail advance tickets are fulfilable to eTicket.
 

Glaswegian

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2021
Messages
33
Location
Falkirk
I think only ScotRail advance tickets are fulfilable to eTicket.
The old ScotRail app sold m-tickets (but not e-tickets) almost always. As far as I can see the only exceptions were for situations where they would not work, such as journeys across London involving the Underground.
 

smsm1

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2015
Messages
341
I think only ScotRail advance tickets are fulfilable to eTicket.
I can get e-tickets with day returns for example for Camelon-Dundee with 2 splits if going via Stirling and Perth, though haven't gone through the full buying process. I'm wondering if the e-tickets option has been enabled in more places with the app change, as I've been trying more places and haven't found one yet where the ticket on demand is required?
 

megabusser

Member
Joined
30 Sep 2019
Messages
92
Location
Edinburgh
I think only ScotRail advance tickets are fulfilable to eTicket.
I’ve bought e-tickets for a day return Glasgow to Edinburgh and for a suburban Glasgow station to Glasgow Central from Trainsplit without issue.

I’ve tried others and they aren’t sold as e-tickets for whatever reason.
 

GLC

Member
Joined
21 Nov 2018
Messages
394
Can the TrainSplit app be used for journeys wholly on ScotRail? I’d discounted it as it says e-ticket rather than m-ticket, but I’d like to suggest a way for my partner to avoid having to switch to the new app.
Yes, the TrainSplit app can be used for journeys wholly on ScotRail. (This also applies for any TOC in GB, such as TfW, MerseyRail etc)

TrainSplit (and therefore also the forum booking site), offers E-Tickets for as many ScotRail journeys as we are able to.
 

OscarH

Established Member
Joined
15 Sep 2020
Messages
1,257
Location
Crawley
Can the TrainSplit app be used for journeys wholly on ScotRail? I’d discounted it as it says e-ticket rather than m-ticket, but I’d like to suggest a way for my partner to avoid having to switch to the new app.

I’m not familiar with e/m-tickets as they’re not an option for me.
I'd suggest trying it - more than you'd think will be eTicketable
 

shotts56

Member
Joined
4 Feb 2011
Messages
17
I'd suggest trying it - more than you'd think will be eTicketable
Agreed. Since the ScotRail app blew up, the last week or so I’ve been trying other apps for my regular Wishaw to Glasgow commute.

Both Railboard and TrainSplit have given me e-tickets which have the ability to go into my Apple Wallet, which is just so much handier.
 

jadmor

Member
Joined
26 Nov 2013
Messages
154
I noticed this morning (10th August) that the app was not showing the morning LNER service from Pitlochry. Is it possible that this was because all LNER seats were booked?
I bought my ticket at the station as usual, and found plenty of unreserved seating in coach C.
 

Adam Williams

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2018
Messages
3,495
Location
Warks
Is it possible that this was because all LNER seats were booked?
Well, 10 seats in Standard Class weren't booked, but had been blocked from being booked by the operator.

The rest had reservations, yes, which would have caused it to be shown as "Sold Out" and suppressed sales.
 

Sealink

Member
Joined
16 Aug 2006
Messages
865
Location
Bridport
Wick now appears first when you type it in.
Use the official code WCK and Warwick comes up first.

Although they sell seated sleeper tickets, avoid using their app for this (I'm sure I am preaching to the choir here):

Inverness - Euston comes up with a fare of £233.40. I checked a random date in September.

Other apps and CS direct is £90
 

Adam Williams

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2018
Messages
3,495
Location
Warks
Wick now appears first when you type it in.
Use the official code WCK and Warwick comes up first.

Although they sell seated sleeper tickets, avoid using their app for this (I'm sure I am preaching to the choir here):

Inverness - Euston comes up with a fare of £233.40. I checked a random date in September.

Other apps and CS direct is £90
Which, of course, directly contradicts the "What can't we sell?" FAQ answer (which was suspiciously similar to the Raileasy website's content) and explicitly said they sell seated sleeper products....

I don't think SilverRail could've screwed this up any more badly than they have managed to if they tried. Though at least this time around they're not issuing free 1st class barcodes that allow travel to anyone who makes a reservation :D
 
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Sealink

Member
Joined
16 Aug 2006
Messages
865
Location
Bridport
Screenshots from Northern, Rail Forums ticketing and ScotRail (mobile page, see pic 4, a suggestion from Google Play Store!)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Which, of course, directly contradicts the "What can't we sell?" FAQ answer (which was suspiciously similar to the Raileasy website's content) and explicitly said they sell seated sleeper products....

I don't think SilverRail could've screwed this up any more badly than they have managed to if they tried. Though at least this time around they're not issuing free 1st class barcodes that allow travel to anyone who makes a reservation :D
 

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aaronspence

Member
Joined
9 Jun 2022
Messages
237
Location
Scotland
Have you put in a request for a refund? Let us know how that goes!

Hopefully you were able to buy the tickets using a functional website (such as the forum's!)

Update on this, put a refund request in the same day as the incident, told id get it within 5 working days - still nothing

They say there’s overwhelming demand for refunds right now so I’ve to be patient

Must be that app barely anyone is having issues with
 

Durradan

Member
Joined
6 Oct 2020
Messages
37
Location
Aberdeen
I need to renew my season ticket for Thursday. Is it worth trusting the new app to behave, or should I dig my smartcard out again and pop down the ticket office instead?
 

davp

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2015
Messages
140
I need to renew my season ticket for Thursday. Is it worth trusting the new app to behave, or should I dig my smartcard out again and pop down the ticket office instead?
If I needed one there is no way I would trust the app. My smartcard works fine and if there is a season on it I can use it for 1/3 off off peak fares too on Scotrail.

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Both the new app and website are showing refunds available for same day ticket purchases and have been throughout.

1786483071239.png
 

scosutsut

Established Member
Joined
1 Jan 2019
Messages
1,217
Location
scosutsut
Google Play Store reviews have rebounded slightly to 1.3* versus 4.4* for the old app. It also now shows "10k+ downloads" versus "1m+" for the old.

The next category I can see above 10k plus is 100k plus so I'd suggest it's not doing well, especially as despite not having the app I'll account for two of those installs according to Google Play documentation, on the account of installing and uninstalling it after trying it, and then having to install it again in order to delete my account, then removing it again.

Even if they fix everything, this will hang over it for years. Would love to FOI how much this has cost them in a years time, in terms of lost ticket sale commission, it's not going to be pretty.

But then again, we're told it's all going swimmingly, right? :D
 

kkong

Member
Joined
8 Sep 2008
Messages
1,125
Even if they fix everything, this will hang over it for years. Would love to FOI how much this has cost them in a years time, in terms of lost ticket sale commission, it's not going to be pretty.

I am in touch with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport (via my MSP) to request they ask ScotRail for, inter alia, their cost estimate of the reputational damage and lost sales due to the defective app.

I have also written to the Transport Committee, requesting they invite ScotRail senior management along to explain themselves, once the new parliamentary session begins on 31st August.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

The newer version of the Android app that they released a few days ago is still overcharging for the example journey I mentioned in this post.

I want to make a day return journey from Anniesland to Edinburgh.
Out: Fri 14 Aug 15:30
Rtn: Fri 14 Aug 17:00


The only fare offered is with split tickets - where is the (valid) £19.90 Anytime Day Return?
ANL-GLQ (SDS): £ 3.10
GLQ-EDB (SDS): £16.60
EDB-GLQ (SDS): £16.60
GLQ-ANL (SDS): £ 3.10
Total : £39.40


ANL-EDB 15.30-17.00 1.pngANL-EDB 15.30-17.00 2.pngANL-EDB 15.30-17.00 3.png

Now the same journey search, except with a return time of 18:00 instead of 17:00.
Out: Fri 14 Aug 15:30
Rtn: Fri 14 Aug 18:00


The correct through Anytime Day Return fare is offered:
ANL-EDB (SDR): £19.90

(Also note how on the second screenshot, the default option presented is a single, despite searching for a return journey.

ANL-EDB 15.30-18.00 1.pngANL-EDB 15.30-18.00 2.pngANL-EDB 15.30-18.00 3.png

I wonder how many ScotRail customers have been overcharged by a combination of these two bugs:

  1. Not showing return through fares where they are available and the cheapest option.
  2. Defaulting to selling single tickets when the customer has requested a return.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Google Play Store reviews have rebounded slightly to 1.3* versus 4.4* for the old app. It also now shows "10k+ downloads" versus "1m+" for the old.

That is probably due to the likes of the 5-star review highlighted below, by someone who will be recommending the ScotRail app to his extended family in Baghdad.

He is probably reviewing the wrong app.

Amir Hussain Review.png

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The ScotRail app and website both show a solitary train from Mount Florida to Glasgow Central on Sunday 16 August, departing at 06:33.

This train isn't returned by any other journey planner I've used.

There are no services on the Cathcart circle route all day Sunday - it's closed for engineering works.

Where is it hallucinating this service from?

Edit: There is no 06:33 departure on a normal Sunday, but there is on Monday-Saturday.
It's surely not showing a departure for Monday 17 August without saying it's not on the date searched for... is it?

2026-08-16 MFL-GLC.png
 
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aaronspence

Member
Joined
9 Jun 2022
Messages
237
Location
Scotland
If the new app has been overcharging, I would hope refunds are automatically sent? Think how much money they have stolen and people were none the wiser, then may not even know to put in a claim.
 

kkong

Member
Joined
8 Sep 2008
Messages
1,125
If the new app has been overcharging, I would hope refunds are automatically sent? Think how much money they have stolen and people were none the wiser, then may not even know to put in a claim.

Absolutely zero chance of that happening.

There are so many bugs, they won't even have them all on a list to fix.

Remember, back on 7th August (before the app update was released), ScotRail COO David Ross said:
It's working really well for the vast majority of people.
 

alistairlees

Established Member
Joined
29 Dec 2016
Messages
4,379
I am in touch with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport (via my MSP) to request they ask ScotRail for, inter alia, their cost estimate of the reputational damage and lost sales due to the defective app.

I have also written to the Transport Committee, requesting they invite ScotRail senior management along to explain themselves, once the new parliamentary session begins on 31st August.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

The newer version of the Android app that they released a few days ago is still overcharging for the example journey I mentioned in this post.

I want to make a day return journey from Anniesland to Edinburgh.
Out: Fri 14 Aug 15:30
Rtn: Fri 14 Aug 17:00


The only fare offered is with split tickets - where is the (valid) £19.90 Anytime Day Return?
ANL-GLQ (SDS): £ 3.10
GLQ-EDB (SDS): £16.60
EDB-GLQ (SDS): £16.60
GLQ-ANL (SDS): £ 3.10
Total : £39.40


View attachment 209431View attachment 209432View attachment 209433

Now the same journey search, except with a return time of 18:00 instead of 17:00.
Out: Fri 14 Aug 15:30
Rtn: Fri 14 Aug 18:00


The correct through Anytime Day Return fare is offered:
ANL-EDB (SDR): £19.90

(Also note how on the second screenshot, the default option presented is a single, despite searching for a return journey.

View attachment 209434View attachment 209435View attachment 209436

I wonder how many ScotRail customers have been overcharged by a combination of these two bugs:

  1. Not showing return through fares where they are available and the cheapest option.
  2. Defaulting to selling single tickets when the customer has requested a return.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==



That is probably due to the likes of the 5-star review highlighted below, by someone who will be recommending the ScotRail app to his extended family in Baghdad.

He is probably reviewing the wrong app.

View attachment 209438

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

The ScotRail app and website both show a solitary train from Mount Florida to Glasgow Central on Sunday 16 August, departing at 06:33.

This train isn't returned by any other journey planner I've used.

There are no services on the Cathcart circle route all day Sunday - it's closed for engineering works.

Where is it hallucinating this service from?

Edit: There is no 06:33 departure on a normal Sunday, but there is on Monday-Saturday.
It's surely not showing a departure for Monday 17 August without saying it's not on the date searched for... is it?

View attachment 209446
Using the same dates and times I get the same overpriced results for Partick, Hyndland and Jordanhill to Edinburgh too.
 

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