THE 10-day period of the UCI World Cycle Championships resulted in record rail use across Scotland.
The surge in the use of trains comes ahead of a six-month trial to remove peak fares on ScotRail services starting in October.
More than 647,000 more journeys took place on ScotRail trains compared to the same period last year.
The Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell said he was “delighted” to see the record figures.
“With more than 3.5 million journeys by train over the championships it shows that people are ready to come back to rail post-pandemic.
“Staff deserve huge thanks for how they have welcomed and supported travellers to get around Scotland”, he said.
We previously told how the event was viewed as a great success with organisers saying that it further boosted Scotland’s reputation as a major event destination.
Nearly half a million people either attended a ticketed session or took to the roadside to watch events in the opening five days alone, according to UCI.
Ruskell continued: “Along with supporting ScotRail nationalisation, the Scottish Greens secured the removal of peak fares from ScotRail services starting in October.
“Removing peak fares will take away the two-tier system which currently punishes those who have no choice over when they need to travel to work or study.
“It will open up our railways to all and in doing so, make it cheaper and easier to leave the car at home.”
The MSP added: “Travel patterns are continuing to shift post-Covid and while working from home has become a welcome option for many, removing peak fares will help make rail travel a more cost-effective option than driving.
“New cycle facilities in and around stations will also help deliver a lasting legacy from the World Champs helping us to join up our journeys with our bikes and the train.”
