13.09.12
Scottish winter timetable for rail announced
New services have been added to the winter timetable in Scotland, with faster and more frequent trains running across the country, Transport Scotland and ScotRail have announced.
Services are due to begin on December 9, and include earlier Sunday trains linking Edinburgh, Glasgow and Ayr, as well as improved journey times and increased services on the Ayrshire route.
A new Sunday service between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh will also be introduced.
Transport minister Keith Brown said: “Rail travel in Scotland is on the rise as more people come to realise the benefits of letting the train take the strain.
“The Scottish Government has an absolute commitment to rail services and to doing all we can to encourage more people on to the trains with all the benefits that entails – less congestion on the roads, a reduction in carbon emissions and increased job and investment opportunities.
“These service enhancements will encourage new passengers to travel by rail for commuting educational and leisure, opportunities and help current passengers to get out earlier, stay out later and get around more frequently.”
Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said: “The new timetable provides real benefits by improving frequency, journey times and connections on routes across the country.
“It underpins our focus on delivering more services and encourages more people than ever to switch to rail.”
Other elements of the winter timetable include: extra weekday calls at Portlethen, Laurencekirk, Broughty Ferry and Invergowrie; extra calls at Kilmaurs and Dunlop on Glasgow Central – Kilmarnock services; a new early-morning weekday service from Motherwell to Edinburgh and a late evening service in the opposite direction; a new weekday service between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh calling at Motherwell, Wishaw, Carluke, Carstairs and Haymarket as part of the EGIP project being introduced and delivered ahead of schedule; improved journey times for services between Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness as result of new infrastructure works; and extra trains between Edinburgh and Dunbar on a Saturday.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]
Image c. RAIB