ScotRail should scrap first-class seats on all of its services in a bid to free up capacity on busy trains, the Scottish Greens have said.

A freedom of information request obtained by the party showed that in 2023/24 around only 2% of ScotRail's first-class seats were being used.

Of the two million first-class tickets available over the last year, just 39,000 were bought, the data showed.

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Mark Ruskell, Green MSP, said it meant that while first-class seats were often empty, passengers with regular tickets were routinely forced to stand in busy commuter services.

He said: "Our railways should be for all of us. Every journey on a ScotRail service should be a first-class experience - it shouldn't be determined by your ability to pay extra.

"We've all been in a situation where we struggle to find seats or are forced to stand in cramped carriages, only for first class to be almost completely empty.

"That's such a waste. It's not good for anyone."

Ruskell said he wanted ScotRail to adopt measures taken by London Northwestern Railway, Southeastern Rail and Greater Anglia which are all planning to phase out first-class tickets.

He said services should end immediately and be replaced with standard class seating.

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He added: "Rail companies across the UK are reducing first-class services. It is time for ScotRail to do the same.

"If we are to have a rail renaissance in Scotland we need low-cost, reliable and accessible rail.

"By removing so-called first-class carriages we can increase capacity while building a fairer, better and more inclusive rail network that works for passengers, staff and the planet."

ScotRail said first-class tickets generate around £8 million each year for the nationalised company.

The transport provider has no plans to remove the fares.

Claire Dickie, ScotRail's commercial director, said: "ScotRail offers first-class on board selected services connecting Scotland's cities, and the revenue generated from this service is reinvested to deliver wider benefits for all customers."