The ScotRail Alliance today announced that customers in the south of Scotland are set to reap the benefits of major new investment – with more services and more seats.

From 10 December, commuters, business travellers and leisure customers will benefit from an additional 1,500 seats per day on an extra five services, in each direction, between Dumfries and Carlisle. This will benefit customers travelling from those two stations, as well as those travelling from Annan and Gretna Green.

The improvements mean customers in the south west of Scotland will see close to an hourly service throughout the day, with better connections for trains to and from London at Carlisle.

In addition, the ScotRail Alliance is introducing a new early morning train from Dumfries to Glasgow, and a late evening service from Glasgow to Dumfries – providing 300 more seats between the stations.

ScotRail Alliance Managing Director Alex Hynes, said:
“We are building the best railway this country has ever had – and that applies to all of Scotland.

“The major investment we are making will mean more services and more seats in the south of Scotland. It will also help to grow the economy in this part of the country, which makes it an exciting time for everybody in the area.

“We’ve listened to feedback and made positive changes for commuters, business travellers and tourists looking to get out and about across this great country. More regular trains mean more seats and more choice, providing greater flexibility for trips to Glasgow and better connection with trains to London.”

Minister for Transport and the Islands Humza Yousaf, said:

“These additional services being introduced will be welcomed by passengers in the South West of the country. By providing more services, seats, and improving connectivity, we can encourage more people onto trains.

“The near hourly service between Dumfries and Carlisle is designed to meet the demands of current and future growth, and comes following feedback from local user groups and transport partners.

“It is also pleasing to note the earlier morning service between Dumfries and Glasgow, providing enhanced commuter options to Kilmarnock and Glasgow for the Cumnock Valley, and the additional evening train between Glasgow and Dumfries opening up more opportunities for commuters and leisure users alike.”

Andrew Wood, chairman of SWestrans, the regional transport partnership for the south west of Scotland, said:

“I welcome this increase in service and the added connectivity it will bring to many residents of the region.

“I look forward to continuing the good working partnership we have developed between the ScotRail Alliance and SWestrans and the delivery of future rail timetable and infrastructure enhancements across Dumfries and Galloway.”
Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce President Tom Armstrong, said:

“It’s great to see the ScotRail Alliance deliver over a thousand extra seats per day. This shows its commitment to building a railway for the 21st century and shows that Dumfries is part of it. I am confident that these timetable changes will be a major draw for the region.

“It will allow easier access to Dumfries’ diverse and growing business base, its academic institutions and its impressive cultural attractions and events. As well as allowing easier access for the regional residents to get away for the day, get to work in the central belt or Cumbria.”