ScotRail is offering students a 50% discount on train tickets to get home for Christmas. The return ticket will be offered at half price and be valid on any services for one month. This allows a quick changing of plans in case COVID-19 restrictions change around the country. ScotRail commercial director Lesley Kane said: “Students are going through a hard enough time just now trying to keep up with their studies while worrying about catching coronavirus and balancing their finances. “We think this half price deal on tickets is the best gift we can give them before Christmas and we’re sure it will be very popular amongst students who want to get home to see loved ones at this special family time of the year.”
ScotRail has offered students a half-price fully flexible return ticket to get home for Christmas
Andrea Chisholm, 21, is a student at the University of Stirling travelling back to Glasgow for Christmas. She said: “I’m really happy with [ScotRail’s] decision. I think the flexibility of the ticket is really handy and it’s always nice to save a bit of money.” Glasgow and Stirling are currently both in tier four of lockdown, so changing between the two doesn’t worry Chisholm too much. “My only concern is if I’m putting any family members at risk when I do get home,” she said. She still agrees with the Scottish Government’s decision to allow students home though. “I think people would travel home regardless,” Chisholm said. Caitlin Lamb, 20, is another Stirling student and will be travelling home to Aberdeenshire. “I’m working around Christmas so I’ll need to be here quite close to the holidays,” she said. “Because of the unpredictable decisions by the government it does cause concern about being stuck here for Christmas.” Lamb is aware of the risks though. “It will probably cause a spike in cases because we’ll come straight out of a lockdown and most students will travel as soon as possible.” Alongside the decision to allow students home for Christmas, the Scottish Government unveiled a widespread COVID testing scheme that would allow students to be tested for the virus. The testing is being done in partnership universities and colleges throughout Scotland, allowing students to ensure they’re safe to return home if they wish to do so.
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