Summer rail services boost for passengers
Written by author on April 3, 2014
Scotland is on track for significant public transport timetable improvements which will bring benefits to passengers and visitors alike.
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.”
