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The move aimed to deliver a more affordable, sustainable, and customer-focused rail service in the post-pandemic era. Since nationalisation, passenger numbers have surged by 75%, yet operational challenges remain, including over 27,000 cancellations due to staff shortages and industrial disputes.

Ticket pricing has seen major shifts, including an 8.7% fare rise and a short-lived pilot scrapping peak fares, which failed to meet usage targets.

ScotRail remains heavily subsidised—£691 million in 2023—raising debates about financial sustainability. Proponents argue that public ownership aligns services with social needs and boosts consumer welfare, while critics highlight inefficiencies and political interference.

The ScotRail case illustrates the trade-offs involved in nationalisation, making it a valuable example for examining government intervention, market failure, and the economics of public services.