Travel safely

Travel safely with ScotRail

Above all else ScotRail wants to ensure that your journey with us is a safe one. Please take a few minutes of your time to read this advice.

Escalators

• Never take luggage trolleys, prams, bikes or dogs on the escalators. Pushchairs should be folded and carried. Where available, station lifts should be used to carry these items, as well as any heavy luggage.
• Keep to the right, facing forward and keep your hand on top of the handrail. Do not touch the sides of the escalator below the handrail. Keep your feet away from the sides.
• Do not run on the escalators.
• Always carry small children or hold them by the hand.
• Take care when stepping on and off the escalators.
• 
   
• On the platform
• Ensure that you and any children in your care stand well back from the platform edge.
• Remember not all trains may stop at your platform. Trains running through can cause turbulence, so keep a hold of children, pushchairs and other belongings.
• Never attempt to retrieve articles dropped onto the railway line or between the platform and train. Advise a member of staff or use the help points.
• If you have any concerns regarding your safety during any part of your journey, please contact a member of staff or use the help points.
• 
  
  Boarding and alighting from trains
• Ensure that you are on the platform in plenty of time before your train is due to depart.
• Be ready to board and alight from your train in plenty of time (do not board the train if you are not travelling).
• A door-closing alarm sounds when the doors are about to close (a high-pitched beeping noise). Do not attempt to board or alight whilst this alarm is sounding.
• Let passengers off before you board.
• Some stations have platforms shorter than the trains stopping at them. You will be advised of this in advance to enable you to be in the right section of the train when it arrives.
• Mind the gap! Platform heights can vary from station to station.
• 
  
  On the train
• ScotRail operate a smoke-free policy on all of our trains.
• Store luggage securely – either in the overhead shelf or in the racks situated at the end of coaches.
• Do not store oversize / heavy luggage in the overhead shelf. Such items could fall during the journey, causing injury to you or another passenger.
• Do not leave luggage in the aisle.
• Do not stand near the train doors. You could cause an obstruction, or an accident when the doors open or close.
• Familiarise yourself with the on-train safety notices.
• Take care when making your way through the train whilst it is in motion. Unexpected train movements can affect your balance.
• Take care with hot drinks.
• 
  
  Keeping your children safe
• Parents with young children should fold pushchairs to avoid accidents on escalators and stairs, using lifts where available.
• Help children on and off trains.
• Take care with prams and pushchairs on trains when boarding and alighting.
• Do not let your children run around in stations or in trains as they could injure themselves or others.
• Where possible hold young children by the hand, particularly when on stairs and escalators.
• Sleeper Services: Children should sleep in the bottom bunk.
• Warn your children as to the dangers of railway lines.
• 
  
  At the station
• Give yourself plenty of time for your journey. Do not run as you could injure yourself or other passengers.
• Be particularly careful in periods of wet/cold weather – platforms and concourses can be slippery when wet. Take extra care on stairs and escalators.
• Use hand rails where provided.
• Do not run on stairs and escalators.
• Do not leave luggage lying unattended or where it may present a tripping hazard. Unattended luggage will prompt a security alert and can cause delays.
• Never use the track as a shortcut. Always use footbridges or other official routes provided.
• To assist you on your journey at main line stations there are indicator boards or monitors, and at other stations timetables and notices will provide you with information. Listen out for announcements. At staffed stations members of staff will be happy to help.
• Do not cycle, skateboard or rollerblade in stations or on railway property.
• 
  
  We are working with the British Transport Police to improve security at stations and on trains. This includes significant investment in CCTV cameras. You can help to improve safety by immediately reporting any incidents or unaccompanied baggage/suspicious packages to the British Transport Police or a member of staff on the number below.
  
  British Transport Police 0800 40 50 40