Nicola Sturgeon has never travelled on a ScotRail train in her role as First Minister.
Official records show she billed taxpayers for a total of more than £330 for two first class tickets to London while in office – but this service is not run under the Scottish Government’s franchise.
The revelation came to light after Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale challenged Ms Sturgeon to “just get on a train” during a clash about overcrowding on local routes.
Ms Dugdale told MSPs a third of all rail routes in Scotland have services that are late more often than they are on time.
The clashes came as Ms Sturgeon reaffirmed Scotland would donate £1million to support developing countries tackling climate change during a speech in Iceland.
Scottish Labour’s transport spokesman, Neil Bibby MSP, said: “Commuters across Scotland have been subjected to delays, overcrowding and cancellations for months.
“As we revealed this week, a third of all routes in Scotland have services that are late more often than they are on time.
“Scottish commuters are fed up with the SNP’s excuses.
“Transport Scotland revealed earlier this week that it is investing in ‘passenger counting equipment’ to discover how overcrowded our trains are.
“Here’s an alternative idea – perhaps if the First Minister joined passengers on a ScotRail train she could discover for herself just how overcrowded they are.”
The first minister had earlier attended an event in the Icelandic capital Rekyvik to promote her government’s Climate Justice Fund.
She said: “Following the Paris Agreement on climate change, countries can’t just stand back and wait – we all have to deliver.
“The funding I am announcing will help developing countries better measure and track climate change, leading to a greater global understanding of how effective we are in limiting its effects.”
