ScotRail today confirmed that it will be running more trains, later trains and providing more seats for people travelling to and from the Edinburgh festivals this month.
The enhanced festival timetable will begin on Friday 5 August but will fully kick from Monday 8 August, to coincide with the reopening of Glasgow Queen Street tunnel.
The combination of the restarting of services to Edinburgh from Queen Street High Level via Falkirk High and the Low Level services via Airdrie and Bathgate means that there will be eight trains an hour running to and from the Capital. In addition, there are also services from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh running throughout the day.
Peak services will have additional carriages wherever possible and the Queen Street High Level services will be extended so that the last train from Edinburgh will now be at 00:30.
All services are likely to be busy as thousands of festival-goers make their way to the Capital.
The timetable includes late night trains to Glasgow, leaving Edinburgh at 00:01 and 00:30 seven days a week; an extra service to Dundee, additional night-time trains to North Berwick and Garscadden on Fridays and Saturdays, and later services to Glenrothes via Dunfermline on Fridays.
Queuing systems will be in place at major stations with extra staff on hand to assist. Further timetable information is available at scotrail.co.uk/majorevents
Cathy Craig, ScotRail’s Commercial Director said: “The festivals are brilliant for Edinburgh and great for Scotland. We want to help as many people as possible get to and from the Capital so that they can be part of the incredible festival experience. That is why we are running more trains, later trains and providing more seats starting from next week.
“With the Queen Street tunnel reopening, customers have a choice. They can use both the High Level and Low Level services, meaning that there are eight trains an hour going to and from Edinburgh.
“Trains are always busy during the festivals. If people can plan ahead, give themselves plenty of time and consider using all of the services that are going to Edinburgh – not just those that operate on the High Level, then I am confident that we will be able to carry more people than ever before.”
This year, for the first time, those based in the Scottish Borders will have train connections to the Capital, allowing them to take advantage of the train travel for their days out.
Julia Amour, Director, Festivals Edinburgh said: “We’re delighted with the announcement of enhanced rail services this August as visitors from across Scotland and the globe flock to the World’s Leading Festival City.
“Throughout the year our festivals welcome attendances of more than 4.5 million people and ScotRail’s support is vital in enabling transport to them from around the country.”
West of Scotland
From Friday 5 – Sunday 28 August, two additional trains to Glasgow via Falkirk High at 00:01 and 00:30. These trains will not call at Haymarket.
From Friday 5 – Sunday 28 August, later trains will run on Friday and Saturdays to Garscadden (via Bathgate and Queen St Low Level), departing Edinburgh at 00:06. This train does not call at Haymarket, High Street, Charing Cross or Partick.
Queen Street High level platforms come back into full use from Monday 8 August.
Fife
On four Fridays, from 5 - 26 August, a later service to Glenrothes via Dunfermline, departing Edinburgh at 23:59.
Dundee
From Friday 5 – Sunday 28 August, later trains will run on Friday and Saturdays to Dundee, departing Edinburgh at 23:52. This train will call at Haymarket, South Gyle, Dalmeny, North Queensferry, Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, Burntisland, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Markinch, Ladybank, Cupar, Leuchars and Dundee (does not call at Springfield).
North Berwick
From Monday 8 – Saturday 13 August: Additional service from North Berwick TO Edinburgh at 00:03 for customers attending Fringe by the Sea events.
From Friday 5 – Sunday 28 August, a later train will run on Friday and Saturdays to North Berwick (with a bus connection at Drem to Dunbar). The train will depart Edinburgh at 00:06. The bus will depart Drem at 00:42.