A new budget rail service between Edinburgh and London is launching, meaning it is now cheaper to travel between the Scottish and English capitals by train than it is to go between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
When the all-electric FirstGroup Lumo service begins in October, it will cap ticket prices at £69 and run a one-way service from Edinburgh to London from less than £15.
As reported by Edinburgh Live, the operator has said that 60% of all of its single fares will cost £30 or less, and return tickets could start from just £29.80.
Between the launch on October 25 and December 1, all tickets booked up to one day prior to travelling will cost under £19.90, Lumo said.
The announcement of the new budget rail service comes just days after ScotRail came under fire for launching a 'flexible' return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh for £30.
The operator's high prices have been criticised for making it harder for people to ditch car and plane travel for trains, which are more environmentally friendly.
Lumo managing director Helen Wylde said: "Travelling in the UK should not cost a fortune and it certainly shouldn’t be the planet that pays.
"Whatever your preferred mode of transport, we are likely to be more affordable and kinder to the planet."
She added: "We believe everyone has the right to travel in style.
"We are empowering people to make green travel choices that are genuinely affordable without compromising on comfort.”
Although the service will launch with only two journeys per day in each direction, there are plans to increase this up to ten in the first part of 2022.
