Customers travelling between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High will benefit from more seats from Sunday as electric trains run on that route for the first-time.
Following Network Rail’s electrification of the line, ScotRail will introduce Class 380 electric trains from its existing fleet from Sunday (10 December). The introduction of the electric trains comes as the ScotRail Alliance prepares to welcome brand-new Hitachi Class 385 trains next year.
Managing director Alex Hynes described it as “another key stage” in the ScotRail Alliance’s plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.
The seven-carriage Class 380 electric trains to enter service on Sunday will provide customers with more seats, and some journeys will be faster between Scotland’s two largest cities.
Electric trains are better for the environment – producing 85 per cent fewer harmful CO2 emissions per seat than the diesel trains the Class 380s will replace.
The ScotRail Alliance’s new timetable also starts on Sunday and customers are being asked to take a minute to check their own journeys before travelling.
A dedicated webpage has been set up at scotrail.co.uk/newtimetable with further information on the changes.
Timetables can also be downloaded from the ScotRail website, and hard copies of the new timetable are available from all staffed stations.
ScotRail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes said:
“As we prepare for the arrival of our brand new Hitachi trains next year – which will deliver faster journeys, more seats, and better services – we will start running electric trains from our existing fleet between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High.
“The running of these electric trains from our existing fleet is an important milestone ahead of the arrival of the brand-new Hitachi trains. It’s another key stage in our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.
“Being able to run some services with seven carriages will mean more seats for our customers, and we will also deliver some faster journey times.”
Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands, said:
“The introduction of electric services is a key milestone in the Edinburgh – Glasgow Improvement Programme and yet another sign that our £5bn investment to 2019 is helping build the best railway Scotland has ever had. It also paves the way for the arrival of our new fleet of class 385s, to be phased in over the coming months, offering passengers faster, greener and longer trains.
“I’d like to offer my personal thanks to all the many people who have worked on this significant electrification project as their efforts come to fruition.”
• New late night trains
• Extra carriages on Friday nights and weekends – providing almost 100,000 additional seats every weekend in the run-up to Christmas
• Customers encouraged to plan ahead
Customers across the central belt are set to benefit from extra services and more carriages in the run-up to Christmas.
With the Christmas party season soon to be in full swing, the ScotRail Alliance is putting on extra late-night services between Edinburgh and Glasgow for partygoers, departing late Friday night/in the early hours of Saturday morning from Friday, 24 November until Friday, 22 December.
The new services will call at Haymarket, Linlithgow, Polmont, Falkirk High, Croy, Lenzie and Bishopbriggs in both directions.
Extra carriages will also be added to our busiest services on key routes across the Central Belt every Friday night and during weekends until Christmas, beginning on Friday 24 November. This will result in almost 100,000 extra seats being added to services on Fridays and weekends.
With services expected to be busy, customers are advised to buy their ticket before they board – either on the ScotRail app, scotrail.co.uk, station ticket office, or ticket machine.
ScotRail Alliance head of customer experience Graham Heald said:
“We’re building the best railway Scotland has ever had, and a key part of this is keeping our customers moving as we head into Christmas.
“The run-up to Christmas is one of our busiest times of the year, so we’re doing all we can to get everyone where they want to be by adding extra services and more carriages.
“Whether customers are heading to the Christmas markets, a night out, or just picking up presents, we hope they have a great time – but we ask them to please double-check their last train times via the ScotRail app, or at scotrail.co.uk.”
The ScotRail Alliance is adding carriages to as many trains as possible for rugby fans travelling to Scotland’s Autumn Test home games at the BT Murrayfield Stadium.
Scotland play Samoa on Saturday 11 November (KO 2.30pm), New Zealand on Saturday 18 November (KO 5.15pm), and Australia on Saturday 25 November (KO 2.30pm).
Trains to and from Edinburgh will be extremely busy. Supporters heading to the games are advised to allow additional time for travel, as queuing systems will be in place at Haymarket after the final whistle.
Extra staff will be on hand to assist customers and, as with most large events, alcohol bans will be in force.
ScotRail Alliance Head of Customer Experience, Graham Heald said: “The Autumn Tests are a big draw. We’ve done everything we can to boost the number of seats on key routes into the capital and will be using all available trains on match days.
“Please allow extra time for travel, and buy your ticket in advance to save you time and minimise the need to queue.
“If you’re travelling with children, our Kids Go Free tickets are the perfect fit – with up to two children, aged 5-15, traveling free with each adult.”
New trains for Scotland are another step closer as the ScotRail Alliance revealed the interiors of its new fleet.
The new Class 385 electric trains – which are being built by Hitachi Rail Europe – will deliver faster journeys, more seats and better services for Scotland when they are rolled out next year.
One of the first fully fitted trains was recently completed at Hitachi Rail Europe’s Newton Aycliffe plant. Offering bright, modern, contemporary finishes, once in service, customers across the central belt will benefit from:
• Power sockets at each pair of seats
• Free WiFi throughout the train
• More luggage storage
• Cycle spaces in a clearly marked area
• Flexible storage area (prams, golf clubs etc)
• Two wheelchair spaces
• Accessible toilet in every train, including a new ‘assist’ facility to allow companion access to the cubicle while maintaining privacy
• Windows closely aligned with seats
Dedicated first class carriages boast plug sockets at every seat, premium leather seats, LED lighting and more luggage storage.
Class 385s can operate in three, four, six, seven and eight car formations, providing much more flexibility to match demand with capacity. Unlike the existing Class 170 trains, the Class 385 have ‘through’ gangways between all coaches so that every part of the train can be accessed from the inside.
Electric trains mean no diesel engines, resulting in quieter journeys for customers and reduced noise pollution for those living and working near the railway.
When eight-car trains are introduced on the Edinburgh – Glasgow via Falkirk High route, this will improve capacity by up to 44% at peak times.
There will also be more seats during peak periods on the Glasgow / Edinburgh – Stirling / Dunblane / Alloa lines, Edinburgh – North Berwick, and Glasgow Central – Edinburgh via Shotts.
ScotRail Alliance Managing Director Alex Hynes said:
“It’s great to finally see the interiors of our new trains. They look great, and I know customers will agree.
“The finish of these trains will significantly improve the experience of customers travelling with us. Their design has resulted in bright, spacious and accessible carriages – perfect for commuters, business customers and leisure travellers alike.
“We’re building the best railway Scotland has ever had – and providing our customers with modern trains plays a big part in that.”
Mitsuo Iwasaki, Head of Technical at Hitachi Rail Europe, said:
“We expect customers to be really pleased with the interiors of our new trains. We’ve worked closely with ScotRail and various passenger groups to include their ideas into the design and the result is a visible improvement for people travelling.
“In addition to full size tables and more seats, customers will also now be able to stay better connected on their journey with fast WiFi and plug sockets.”
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.”
– Major infrastructure works to deliver faster journeys, more seats and better services
– Railway remains open for business during peak hours – only late evening services between Sunday and Thursday affected
– Customers advised to check dedicated webpage for more information
The railway will remain open for business during the busiest times while the ScotRail Alliance carries out major improvement works starting next month.
From 11 September, work will be carried out to improve the network in central and northern Scotland – including Glasgow and Edinburgh services to Perth, Stirling, Dunblane, Alloa, Falkirk, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Services will continue as normal for the vast majority of the time, meaning people can travel hassle free throughout the day.
On those routes affected by the work, there will be changes to journeys after 9pm between Sunday and Thursday. The work will continue until May 2018. Some journey times will be longer and customers can expect to see queuing systems in operation at key stations where replacement buses are in operation.
Customers are being advised to plan their journeys in advance as the ScotRail Alliance continues its upgrade programme to deliver faster journeys, more seats and better services.
To help customers plan ahead, the ScotRail Alliance has set up a dedicated webpage at scotrail.co.uk/improvements.
ScotRail Alliance Infrastructure Director David Dickson said: “The work we will be doing will help deliver the best railway Scotland’s ever had, with faster journeys, more seats and better services.
“The railway will be open for business while we carry out this essential work. People travelling during morning and evening peak times will not be affected, and will be able to travel hassle free.
“Where we have had to change services, we will keep people moving by providing replacement bus services. We would encourage customers to visit scotrail.co.uk/improvements to find out more information about the changes.”
– More than 384,000 people passed through Edinburgh Waverley station during the second weekend of the festivals
– Increase of 8 per cent compared to the equivalent weekend in 2016
– More services, late-night trains and extra carriages compared to the regular timetable
The number of people passing through Edinburgh Waverley station during the second weekend of the August Edinburgh festivals increased by 8 per cent compared to 2016, the ScotRail Alliance confirmed today.
More than 384,000 people passed through Edinburgh Waverley station between Friday 11 August and Sunday 13 August. This is an 8 per cent increase compared to the 355,000 people who passed through Waverley during the second weekend of the festivals in 2016.
It was revealed last week that more than 340,000 people passed through Waverley during the first weekend of the festivals this year, highlighting the scale of the operation being undertaken by the ScotRail Alliance.
Customers are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance by visiting www.scotrail.co.uk, downloading the ScotRail app or buying a ticket at the station before boarding.
Highlights of the ScotRail Alliance’s August festivals programme include:
– Additional late night trains between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street (via Falkirk High) operating daily, departing from Edinburgh at 00.01 and 00.30.
– A major increase in the number of carriages between Glasgow and Edinburgh, particularly Friday to Sunday, both via the Airdrie/Bathgate line and via Falkirk High
– Many extra carriages between Edinburgh and Fife on Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday
Juliet Donnachie, station manager at Edinburgh Waverley, said:
“These figures show the scale of the operation the ScotRail Alliance is running during the Edinburgh festivals.
“Our station teams at Waverley and across the whole network are working flat out to get customers to and from Edinburgh hassle free. The festivals are a great advert for the city and the country as a whole, and we are proud to play our part in making them a success.
“We know that our trains will continue to be very busy during the festivals, so we are encouraging all customers to plan their journeys in advance.”
A new community heritage centre at Aberdour station opened last week.
The centre, run by the Aberdour Heritage Centre and Station Gardens group, is run by volunteers to provide visitors with more information about Aberdour and local attractions.
Features of the new centre include:
– An interactive touch table
– Exhibitions on the local area
– Bookable guided tours of the area
The centre occupies two formerly disused rooms in the main station building on platform one. The units have been fully refurbished for their new roles through support and funding from the ScotRail Alliance, the Stations Community Regeneration Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Railway Heritage Trust, the Fife Environment Trust and other local groups.
Pupils at Aberdour Primary School have plans for a children’s corner in the near future.
A whole host of events have already been planned for the centre, including drop-in sessions with local experts, and talks on the history of the village.
James Ledgerwood, head of economic development at the ScotRail Alliance, said: “It’s wonderful to see the hard work and dedication of the fantastic volunteers at the Aberdour Heritage Centre has paid off.
“The new centre and will undoubtedly be a great asset to the community, and it has been a pleasure to work with them to achieve their goal.”
Bill Rennie, chair of the Aberdour Heritage Centre and Station Gardens group said: “It’s been a real team effort. Many local volunteers and village organisations have helped with the renovation, which will breathe new life into Aberdour’s beautiful Victorian station.
“ScotRail has been incredibly supportive of the project during its execution. Our volunteers are now hoping to revamp the once famous station gardens.”
– More services, late-night trains and extra carriages compared to the regular timetable
– Trains will be very busy, so people are urged to plan their journeys in advance
The ScotRail Alliance is urging people going to Edinburgh’s August festivals to plan their journeys in advance, as it announced more services, late-night trains and extra carriages for the three-week extravaganza.
Thousands of people will travel to Edinburgh for the events, which means services will be much busier than normal.
Highlights of the ScotRail Alliance’s August festivals programme include:
– Additional late night trains between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street (via Falkirk High) operating daily, departing from Edinburgh at 00.01 and 00.30.
– A major increase in the number of carriages between Glasgow and Edinburgh, particularly Friday to Sunday, both via the Airdrie/Bathgate line and via Falkirk High
– Many extra carriages between Edinburgh and Fife on Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday
– An extra service running after midnight between North Berwick and Edinburgh, getting people to and from the Fringe by the Sea
Perry Ramsey, Operations Director at the ScotRail Alliance, said:
“Edinburgh’s August festivals are one of the highlights of the year, attracting talent and tourists from all over the world. It’s a great chance to showcase the very best of Scotland.
“The ScotRail Alliance will once again do everything it can to help the events run smoothly. We will put on more services, late-night trains and extra carriages compared to our regular timetable.
“But despite these extra services and carriages we are putting on, trains will be very, very busy during the festivals. Thousands of people will be travelling to and from Edinburgh to enjoy the great attractions the festivals have to offer.
“To make journeys as hassle free as possible we are urging passengers to plan their journeys in advance by visiting scotrail.co.uk, downloading the ScotRail app and buying a ticket before they board.
“We are also encouraging passengers to use all the available services between Edinburgh and Glasgow, including Glasgow Central, and the high and low levels at Glasgow Queen Street.”
Comedian Craig Hill, who will perform his Someone’s Gonna Get Kilt show at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), said:
“It’s very exciting to have the Edinburgh Festival Fringe happening again, especially with the 70th anniversary celebration.
“The city gets packed with people from all over the world enjoying the shows and the atmosphere, so of course the streets as well as the trains will be very busy.
“Make sure you plan your Fringe experience and your journeys in advance, so it’s all nice and easy and make sure you have loads of fun, fun, fun!”
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said:
“We are delighted that the ScotRail Alliance is providing extra rail services to and from Edinburgh during August.
“These additional services will make it easier for people to enjoy the Fringe and Edinburgh’s other major festivals, and also comfortably get back to their homes right across Scotland’s central belt.”
Commenting on the transport investment strategy announced by the Department for Transport today, Jane Gratton, Head of Business Environment at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Infrastructure projects, both large and small, give business communities across the UK real confidence. A long-term approach to improving productivity and connectivity is welcome but businesses have seen strategies come and go, the real proof comes when they see diggers in the ground.
“Investment in local roads will be particularly well-received by businesses who often express frustration at the capacity and quality of the current system. While ‘A’ roads are of national strategic importance, local areas are best placed to identify how those assets may be enhanced to promote growth opportunities and should be given the flexibility to do so.
“UK businesses want to see progress on major projects such as Heathrow and HS2, but action on smaller schemes such as local road and rail maintenance unlocks access to major cities and create new paths for communities in all parts of the country.
“Businesses will want this strategy to represent additional and better-focused investment to provide the UK with a quality infrastructure system that supports business growth. Transport projects ‘crowd in’ additional investment, generate jobs on site and across supply chains, and support greater connectivity between businesses and their markets, suppliers and customers.”
