An announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday set out the rules for the use of face coverings, making them mandatory for everyone in public areas in stations and on trains, apart from children under five and people with specific medical reasons.

To support customers, face masks will be available free of charge from Monday at 18 of the busiest stations across Scotland for a limited period, to help people get used to the new normal for rail travel.

Those stations are:

• Glasgow Queen Street
• Edinburgh Haymarket
• Glasgow Central
• Edinburgh Waverley
• Inverness
• Aberdeen
• Argyle Street
• Exhibition Centre
• Johnstone
• Ayr
• Paisley Gilmour Street
• Linlithgow
• Falkirk High
• Bathgate
• Airdrie
• Hyndland
• Dalmuir
• Motherwell

Staff across Scotland’s Railway have been provided with face coverings, masks, and visors to help keep them, and customers, safe.

Customers are reminded that, while Scotland’s Railway has introduced significant measures to help, they must take personal responsibility for their travel choices, including covering their face at all stages of their journey. Scotland’s Railway cannot guarantee physical distancing at all stages of a customer’s journey.

The five rules for safer travel are:

1. Do not travel if you feel unwell or have a temperature.
2. Travel away from the main commuting times (0700 – 0900 and 1600 – 1830) wherever possible, as trains will be busiest around then. The earliest and latest trains serve key workers, like NHS and care home staff.
3. If you think it’s not safe to board a train, don’t do it and wait for another service.
4. Wear a face mask or covering and, where possible, maintain physical distancing.
5. Be patient. You might not be able to board your first choice of train, as physical distancing means most seats need to be left empty.

Customers can expect an increase in the time it takes to buy a ticket at a station and board a train, and there may be occasions over the coming months when boarding their normal train may not be possible in busier times. Buying tickets in advance through the ScotRail app or website will reduce waiting time for customers.

David Simpson, ScotRail Operations Director, said:

“The position on face coverings is now absolutely clear and we are urging customers to take collective responsibility and follow the Scottish Government rules on their mandatory use.

“We are doing everything we can to help customers get used to the changes in rail travel and that’s why, for a limited time, we will be providing face masks at our busiest stations. But Scotland’s Railway can’t guarantee physical distancing at all stages of a customer’s journey.

“The message remains the same as it has been since the start of the pandemic: only travel if your journey is essential and follow our five rules for safer travel. It will help to keep you, your fellow customers, and our staff safe.”