ScotRail is going the extra mile to make sure key and essential workers are able to get home after their shifts finish.
Following customer feedback, the train operator is making changes to the reduced timetable introduced earlier this month to reflect a 90 per cent fall in the number of passengers.
The revised timetable, that delivers better value for the taxpayer, is part of ScotRail’s strategy to provide critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, it was always part of the plan to monitor and review the schedule to ensure shift patterns for key workers are supported as far as possible.
While it’s impossible to guarantee every essential worker will be catered for, after consulting with NHS boards across Scotland and assessing feedback from customers, from this week, some services have been added to the timetable and, from Monday, 22 February, other trains will be running later.
From Monday, 15 February:
Additional 2043 Alloa - Glasgow (for staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital finishing at 2030).
Additional 2100 Edinburgh - Dundee (for key workers living in Fife).
2200 Edinburgh to Inverkeithing via Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy will continue to Edinburgh (to benefit shift workers).
2210 Edinburgh to Inverkeithing via Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline will continue to Edinburgh (to benefit shift workers).
From Monday, 22 February:
Additional 2024 Glasgow – Neilston giving a later last train from Glasgow city centre (currently 1935).
Additional 2124 Springburn – Balloch giving a later last train from Glasgow city centre, departing Glasgow Queen St at 2138 (currently 2038 from Glasgow Queen St).
Additional 2102 Larkhall – Milngavie giving a later last train from Glasgow city centre, departing Glasgow Central at 2142 (currently 2041 from Glasgow Central).
Additional 2221 Edinburgh – Bathgate giving a later last train from Edinburgh city centre (currently 2121).
ScotRail has also recognised that cross border operators who provide the majority of services at Dunbar have cut back their services leaving a significant gap in the morning and early afternoon.
Departures from Dunbar to Edinburgh at 1102 and 1301 and 1013 and 1212 from Edinburgh to Dunbar will be reinstated to help the local community access vaccination centres and other essential services in Edinburgh.
Exact timings of services are being published on journey planners and on ScotRail’s social media channels and customers are advised to check their journeys in advance.
David Simpson, ScotRail Operations Director, said:
“At this difficult time, most businesses throughout the country are working under financial constraints, and ScotRail is no different.
“The changes we’ve made to our timetable are part of a process to deliver a safe and reliable service for essential workers while giving the taxpayer value for money.
“However, we identified that a small number of key workers were finding it hard to get a train home after they finished work and we acted quickly to make the changes to the schedule that will ensure we are supporting their shift patterns as well as we can.”