IT will become cheaper and simpler to travel between Fife and Edinburgh as ScotRail launches a six-month pricing trial.

It means that from October 2 customers will be able to travel at any time of the day for the same price as an off-peak ticket.

The Scottish Governement-funded project lasts until the end of March 24 and will see Fifers benefit.

The price of a day-long ticket between Cowdenbeath and Edinburgh will be reduced from £14.50, the current price for an Anytime Day Return, to £8.40, the cost of an Off-Peak Day Return.

Journeys between the capital and Lochgelly will be priced at £10.40, down from £17.40, while from Cardenden it will cost £11.10. 

There are some routes where no off-peak fare exists because the same price is available at any time of the day and so customers will not see any change in those areas.

From September 18, customers can check the ScotRail website or app to see off-peak fares for their route during the six-month period.

It is expected that the trial will encourage more people to use ScotRail services, with cheaper fares early in the day attracting more people to consider travelling by rail.

The operator expects that some trains will be busier and will be monitoring services daily and will be communicating with customers throughout the trial.

Alex Hynes, Scotland’s Railway Managing Director, said: "This is a hugely exciting opportunity for Scotland’s Railway to encourage more people across the country to choose rail travel instead of using the car.

"Everyone at ScotRail is working hard to make sure that this six-month trial will be a success, and we will be monitoring our services and stations daily to see where we have any significant increases in customer journeys.

"We know that cost and simplicity is a critical factor for people when they choose how to travel, and we are looking forward to delivering this fantastic fare reduction for our customers."