The number of passengers using trains across the country has increased for the ninth year in a row.

New figures from ScotRail show the train operator carried 83.3million customers last year – a 2.6% rise on the previous year's record-breaking 81.1m.

Passenger numbers have now risen by 33% since ScotRail's franchise began in 2004, the company said.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail's managing director, said: "The rise in passenger numbers is pleasing and shows we are connecting even more communities, helping to grow the economy and encouraging people out of their cars onto public transport.

"There's still more to be done and we will continue to expand services and improve the customer experience."

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging more people on to the railways and I am delighted to see the work we have done in partnership with ScotRail has again resulted in record passenger numbers.

"The train is a more environmentally-friendly way of getting around, which benefits the nation as a whole through improvements to the health of the population and reduced congestion.

"Thanks to our record investment in Scotland's railways, passengers know they can experience more reliable train journeys than ever before."