With a busy weekend of sport ahead, the ScotRail Alliance has announced it is adding extra carriages to as many trains as possible to services to keep customers moving.
Scotland play their final Autumn Test against Australia on Saturday, 25 November (KO 2.30pm) at the BT Murrayfield Stadium, while Motherwell take on Celtic in the Betfred Cup final at Hampden Park (KO 3pm) on Sunday, 26 November.
On Saturday, trains to and from Edinburgh will be extremely busy with customers enjoying the Christmas markets and fans watching the rugby. The ScotRail Alliance has added extra carriages to trains between Edinburgh and the Borders, Fife, Glasgow, Perth, Stirling and Dunblane. Supporters heading to the match are advised to allow additional time for travel, as queuing systems will be in place after the final whistle.
Customers travelling to Hampden Park for the League Cup final on Sunday will benefit from extra carriages on services to Mount Florida and Kings Park – the closest stations to the ground. Motherwell fans should travel to Mount Florida, while Celtic supporters will be directed to Kings Park. The most regular trains to Mount Florida depart from Glasgow Central station.
Extra staff will be on hand to assist customers and, as with most large events, alcohol bans will be in force on both days.
ScotRail Alliance Head of Customer Experience, Graham Heald said:
“We’ve got a massive weekend of sport coming up. Scotland will be looking to sign off the Autumn Tests on Saturday with a win, while the first silverware of the football season is decided at Hampden on Sunday.
“While trains will be extremely busy on both days, we’ve done everything we can to boost the number of available seats for travelling fans and regular customers. We’re adding as many trains as possible to services this weekend to keep people moving.
“From next year, fans travelling to the games will benefit from more seats and faster journeys on our brand new electric Class 385 and high-speed trains.
“I encourage anyone travelling this weekend to allow extra time for travel, and to minimise the need to queue, buy tickets in advance via our app or website.”
NOTES
Customers travelling to Edinburgh from Glasgow are reminded that the Travel Shop at Glasgow Queen Street has moved to the site of the former Vale pub on Dundas Street.
Top tips
- Buy your ticket before you board. You’ll need a valid ticket for travel, and barriers may be in place.
- Check your train times. Remember to leave time to catch any connecting services that you need.
- Listen up! We’ll have extra staff on the ground to help things go smoothly. To help them help you, please listen to their instructions.
- Download the ScotRail app. You can use it to buy tickets, check train times, and see live service information.
- Don’t leave it too late – services will be busy, and you might not be able to board your first choice of train.
Class 385s
Initially introduced on the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk High route, Class 385s will run:
- Edinburgh – North Berwick
- South Glasgow suburban routes - Cathcart Circle / Neilston / Lanark
- Glasgow/ Edinburgh – Dunblane / Stirling / Alloa
- Glasgow – Falkirk Grahamston via Cumbernauld
- Glasgow Central – Edinburgh via Shotts
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 (compared to a current six-car trains being used).
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.
Once in passenger service, customers will benefit from:
- Bright, modern, contemporary interiors
- Faster, quieter and more comfortable journeys
- Power sockets
- Free WiFi
- More luggage storage
- Accessible toilets in every train
High-Speed Trains (HSTs)
A fleet of 26 fully refurbished HSTs will be rollout out from May 2018, connecting Scotland’s seven cities.
Initially rolled out between Aberdeen – Edinburgh (via Dundee / Fife), HSTs will run:
- Aberdeen – Glasgow Queen Street (via Dundee / Perth / Stirling)
- Inverness – Glasgow Queen Street (via Perth / Stirling)
- Inverness – Edinburgh (via Perth / Fife)
Once in passenger service, customers will benefit from:
- More seats
- Increased luggage space
- Power sockets at seats
- Enhanced on-board catering