Summer rail services boost for passengers
An improved ScotRail timetable launching in May will see more services delivering real benefits in advance of the Commonwealth Games and other Homecoming 2014 events.
Highlights of the new timetable include –
- double the current number of weekday services between Oban and Glasgow
- Aberdeen-Glasgow Sunday service increased from two-hourly to every hour
- Glasgow’s Anderston station opening on Sundays for the first time ever
- extra services between Inverurie and Aberdeen during peak times
- new direct service between Ayr and Edinburgh via Glasgow Central
- a new Sunday service for Anniesland.
These service enhancements, being introduced from 18 May 2014, will bring further improved connectivity during the Commonwealth Games, as well as a very busy Homecoming 2014. More details of additional capacity and special services for the Commonwealth Games will be made available in the coming weeks.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said:
“The people of Scotland are truly embracing their railway with record numbers of passengers in recent years.
“More than 83 million used ScotRail services last year and we want to see that trend continue.
“This new timetable will ensure that people have even more opportunity to take the train – the railway is connecting communities throughout the country.
“Delivering these enhancements before Scotland welcomes the world during key events means we can actively encourage public transport use during the summer and long beyond.”
Transport Scotland has worked with First ScotRail to agree the new timetable. First ScotRail managing director Steve Montgomery said:
“We have added services where demand is highest for commuters in the North East, Central belt and West of Scotland. Leisure travellers, too, have more opportunities to use trains for days out or weekends away.”
Contact:
Transport Scotland Press Office : 0141 272 7195
The full timetable enhancements being introduced from May:
- Glasgow and Aberdeen - New hourly Sunday service, from 0930 until 1800 hrs.
- Inverurie – Dyce and Aberdeen - Improved commuter frequency with an extension ‘back’ from Huntly in the morning peak.
- West Highland Line – An increase in services between Glasgow and Oban from three to six on weekdays and improvements in frequency to Oban on Sundays
- Ayr – Glasgow and Edinburgh – Off peak two hourly services between Ayr and Edinburgh via Glasgow Central from 0930 until 1600.
- Ayrshire – Extension of Glasgow and Irvine services to and from Ayr on weekdays. Enhanced ferry connections at Ardrossan Harbour on Sundays and more calls at Ardrossan Town.
- Inverclyde – Additional fast service being provided between Glasgow Central and Gourock during off peak. New early morning service from Wemyss Bay to Glasgow Central, and later Sunday evening service from Glasgow Central to Wemyss Bay.
- Cumbernauld– As a result of electrification, two services per hour will operate between Springburn and Dalmuir for the first time. The existing diesel service to and from Falkirk Grahamston via Cumbernauld will continue on an hourly frequency.
- Motherwell – Cumbernauld – These become electric services, some of which will extend to and from Cumbernauld at peak times. Some of peak services will continue to Glasgow Central, enhancing connectivity.
- Anderston station - will open on Sundays for the first time between 1000 – 1800 hrs
- Anniesland – Glasgow Queen Street High Level - New Sunday service introduced
- Whifflet Electrification – During the period of the summer timetable Whifflet services will become operated by electric trains but with no changes to the timetable