ScotRail has recorded its busiest week since returning to public ownership, with more than 2.1 million passenger journeys made across its network between 26 July and 1 August.
The milestone reflects continued growth in rail demand, driven by major sporting and entertainment events alongside everyday business, retail and leisure travel.
Record-breaking passenger numbers
The latest figures mark the highest weekly passenger total since ScotRail was brought back into public ownership in April 2022 and build on strong growth seen throughout the summer.
The announcement follows figures published last month showing more than seven million passenger journeys were made in June, representing a 6% increase compared with the same month in 2025.
Momentum has continued into August, with 212,000 passenger journeys recorded on Sunday 2 August – the busiest Sunday since public ownership.
ScotRail has attributed the increase to additional services operated for major events, including the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, TRNSMT festival, concerts by Calvin Harris and Take That at Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Zach Bryan and Luke Combs at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, and the Summer Sessions series at Bellahouston Park.
With the Edinburgh Festivals now underway, the operator expects passenger numbers to continue rising throughout August after introducing further extra services to support the events.
David Ross, ScotRail’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome people in record numbers onto our trains and thank our customers for travelling with us.
“Reaching 2.1 million passenger journeys in a week is a great result and a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our teams right across the business.
“We will use these numbers as a springboard to achieve even greater success as we strive to provide a reliable, safe, and greener railway for Scotland.”
Demand continues to recover
The latest figures provide further evidence of sustained growth in rail travel across Scotland, with major events continuing to play an important role in driving passenger demand while supporting wider economic activity.
As Scotland enters one of its busiest tourism periods with the Edinburgh Festivals, ScotRail is preparing for another surge in demand, reinforcing the role rail plays in moving large numbers of people efficiently to major cultural and sporting events while supporting the country’s broader recovery in public transport use.
