West of Scotland

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail did not propose to make significant changes between Glasgow and Ayr from the May 2021 timetable. The proposed timetable would continue to provide four trains per hour during peak periods, with two or three trains per hour in off-peak periods, and one train per hour in the evenings.

ScotRail received 52 responses from customers who travel on services between Glasgow and Ayrshire. This compares to 372,000 passenger trips per month between Glasgow and Ayrshire in 2019, including 230,000 between Glasgow and Ayr. The most frequently mentioned topic was frequency (46 per cent).

The Fit for the Future timetable between Glasgow and Ayr maintains the May 2021 timetable level of service due to the uncertainty over how demand will recover over the next twelve to eighteen months. The Fit for the Future timetable will be implemented in May 2022 with no change to the level of service that was proposed. Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 27 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would increase to 34 per cent. It is recognised that customers prefer more frequent services as it provides more flexibility, however, the cost of providing a more frequent service would not be met by any increase in revenue. A further review of this group of services will be undertaken for May 2023 to ensure that the level of service being provided is appropriate for the number of passengers travelling and will consider changes such as increased capacity during the summer.

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail did not propose to make significant changes between Glasgow, Ardrossan, and Largs from the May 2021 timetable. The proposed timetable would continue to provide two trains per hour during the day with one train per hour to Largs in the evening and services to Ardrossan to connect with ferries.

ScotRail received 52 responses from customers who travel on services between Glasgow and Ayrshire from 372,000 passenger trips per month between Glasgow and Ayrshire in 2019, including 142,000 between Glasgow, Ardrossan, and Largs. The most frequently mentioned topic was frequency (46 per cent).

The Fit for the Future timetable between Glasgow, Ardrossan, and Largs maintains the May 2021 timetable level of service due to the uncertainty over how demand will recover over the next twelve to eighteen months. The Fit for the Future timetable will be implemented in May 2022 with no change to the level of service that was proposed. Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 28 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would increase to 29 per cent. A further review of this group of services will be undertaken for May 2023 to ensure that the level of service being provided is appropriate for the number of passengers travelling.

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail did not propose to make significant changes between Glasgow and Inverclyde from the May 2021 timetable. The proposed timetable would provide four trains per hour between Gourock and Glasgow during peak hours, two or three trains per hour between the peaks, and one train per hour in the evening. The timetable would also provide one train per hour between Glasgow and Wemyss Bay all day with an additional peak train in each direction.

ScotRail received 29 responses from customers who travel on services between Glasgow and Inverclyde. This compares to 197,000 passenger trips per month along the route in 2019. The most frequently mentioned topics were frequency and journey time.

The Fit for the Future timetable between Glasgow, Gourock, and Wemyss Bay maintains the May 2021 timetable level of service due to the uncertainty over how demand will recover over the next twelve to eighteen months. The Fit for the Future timetable will be implemented in May 2022 with no change to the level of service that was proposed. Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 22 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would increase to 27 per cent. It is recognised that customers prefer more frequent services as it provides more flexibility, however, the cost of providing a more frequent service would not be met by any increase in revenue. A further review of this group of services will be undertaken for May 2023 to ensure that the level of service being provided is appropriate for the number of passengers travelling and will consider changes such as increased capacity during the summer.

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail did not propose to make significant changes between Glasgow and Paisley Canal from the May 2021 timetable. The proposed timetable would continue to provide two trains per hour during the day with one train per hour in the evening.

ScotRail received five responses from customers who travel on services between Glasgow and Paisley Canal compared with 55,000 passenger trips per month in 2019.

Following the consultation, ScotRail will implement the Fit for the Future timetable in May 2022 with no change to the level of service that was proposed for the route between Glasgow and Paisley Canal. Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 23 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would increase to 25 per cent.

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail did not propose to make significant changes between Glasgow, Barrhead, and Kilmarnock from the May 2021 timetable. The proposed timetable would continue to provide two trains per hour between Glasgow and Kilmarnock, with one train per hour calling at all stations and one train per hour calling at limited stations, and additional services between Glasgow and Barrhead during peak hours.

ScotRail received 110 responses from customers who travel on services between Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Dumfries, Carlisle, and East Kilbride. This compares to 276,000 passenger trips per month in 2019 between Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Dumfries, and East Kilbride, including 85,000 passenger trips per month between Glasgow, Barrhead, and Kilmarnock. The main themes highlighted across the route between Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Dumfries, Carlisle, and East Kilbride were about frequency (50 per cent) and direct journey opportunities (14 per cent).

The Fit for the Future timetable between Glasgow, Barrhead, and Kilmarnock maintains the May 2021 timetable level of service due to the uncertainty over how demand will recover over the next twelve to eighteen months. The Fit for the Future timetable will be implemented in May 2022 with no change to the level of service that was proposed. Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 26 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would reduce to 20 per cent as more capacity is being provided on longer services in the future. A further review of this group of services will be undertaken for May 2023 to ensure that the level of service being provided is appropriate for the number of passengers travelling.

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail did not propose to make significant changes between Glasgow and East Kilbride from the May 2021 timetable. The proposed timetable would continue to provide two trains per hour during the day with up to four trains per hour during peak periods, and one train per hour in the evening.

ScotRail received 110 responses from customers who travel on services between Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Dumfries, Carlisle, and East Kilbride. This compares to 276,000 passenger trips per month in 2019 between Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Dumfries, and East Kilbride, including 142,000 passenger trips per month between Glasgow and East Kilbride. The main themes highlighted across the route between Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Dumfries, Carlisle, and East Kilbride were about frequency (50 per cent) and direct journey opportunities (14 per cent), with specific comments about the evening service frequency.

The Fit for the Future timetable between Glasgow and East Kilbride maintains the May 2021 timetable level of service due to the uncertainty over how demand will recover over the next twelve to eighteen months. The Fit for the Future timetable will be implemented in May 2022 with no change from the proposed level of service. We will continue to monitor demand for evening services and will increase capacity should the need arise.

Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 38 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would reduce to 33 per cent as more capacity is planned to be provided on off-peak services. A further review of this route will be undertaken as part of the East Kilbride Enhancements being delivered by Network Rail and Transport Scotland to ensure that the level of service being provided is appropriate for the number of passengers travelling.

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail did not propose to make significant changes on the Glasgow South Electric route from the May 2021 timetable. The proposed timetable would continue to provide two trains per hour between Glasgow and Neilston, with one train per hour in the evening: two trains per hour between Glasgow and Newton, with one train per hour in the evening, with a limited Cathcart Circle service. During peak hours, additional services would be provided to or from Neilston and Newton, and on the Cathcart Circle.

ScotRail received 393 responses from customers who travel on services on the Glasgow South Electric route. This compares to 306,000 passenger journeys per month along the route in 2019. The main theme highlighted was about frequency (83 per cent), with specific comments about school connections and gaps in the timetable outwith the normal peak periods.

The Fit for the Future timetable on the Glasgow South Electric route maintains the May 2021 timetable level of service due to the uncertainty over how demand will recover over the next twelve to eighteen months and because there are insufficient drivers due to the impact of COVID on training during 2020 and 2021. The Fit for the Future timetable will be implemented in May 2022 with no change to the level of service that was proposed. Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 20 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would increase to 24 per cent. A further review of this group of services will be undertaken for May 2023 to ensure that the level of service being provided is appropriate for the number of passengers travelling.

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail did not propose to make significant changes on the majority of the Argyle Line from the May 2021 timetable. The proposed timetable would continue to provide two trains per hour on each route via Glasgow Central Low Level for most of the day, with additional peak capacity of one train in each direction between Carstairs and Glasgow. ScotRail was proposing to reintroduce services between Lanark and Glasgow Central to provide the route with two trains per hour during the day and one train per hour in the evening. The majority of services were planned via Bellshill, but a small number will be direct between Motherwell and Uddingston due to capacity constraints.

ScotRail received 194 responses from customers who travel on services in South Lanarkshire. This compares to 668,000 passenger journeys per month on the Argyle Line in 2019. The main theme highlighted was frequency (35 per cent), with specific comments about the evening service between Glasgow and Lanark.

The Fit for the Future timetable on the Argyle Line maintains the May 2021 timetable level of service due to the uncertainty over how demand will recover over the next twelve to eighteen months and because there are insufficient drivers due to the impact of COVID on training during 2020 and 2021. The Fit for the Future timetable will be implemented in May 2022 with no change to the level of service that was proposed. Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 15 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would remain the same at 15 per cent, as the overall capacity being provided across the day remains the same as some services will have carriages added to services. A further review of this group of services will be undertaken for May 2023 to ensure that the level of service being provided is appropriate for the number of passengers travelling.

The Glasgow North Electric Line, including Airdrie to Bathgate, is one of ScotRail’s largest service groups, covering a large proportion of Glasgow’s suburban rail network, including Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, and services between Edinburgh and Bathgate.

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail did not propose to make significant changes on the Glasgow North Electrics from the May 2021 timetable. The proposed timetable would provide two trains per hour during the day between Edinburgh and Helensburgh, Springburn and Milngavie, and Airdrie and Balloch, with additional peak services between Edinburgh and Milngavie. In the evening, the service was reduced to two trains per hour between Edinburgh and Helensburgh and between Springburn and Balloch, with Milngavie served by the Argyle Line.

ScotRail received 222 responses from customers who travel on services between Glasgow, Helensburgh, and Milngavie. The main theme highlighted was frequency (82 per cent). ScotRail received a further 43 responses from customers who travel on services between Glasgow, Airdrie, Bathgate, and Edinburgh and the main theme highlighted was frequency. This compares to 744,000 passenger trips per month in 2019 across the whole Glasgow North Electric and Airdrie-Bathgate routes.

The Fit for the Future timetable on the Glasgow North Electric Line maintains the May 2021 timetable level of service due to the uncertainty over how demand will recover over the next twelve to eighteen months. The Fit for the Future timetable will be implemented in May 2022 with no change to the level of service that was proposed. Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 17 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would remain the same at 21 per cent. A further review of this group of services will be undertaken for May 2023 to ensure that the level of service being provided is appropriate for the number of passengers travelling.

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail did not propose to make significant changes between Glasgow and Anniesland from the May 2021 timetable. The Fit for the Future timetable proposed to continue to provide an hourly service all day, with additional services during peak hours.

ScotRail received 42 responses from customers who travel on services between Glasgow and Anniesland via Maryhill and the main theme highlighted was frequency. This compares to 21,000 passenger trips per month along the route in 2019.

Following the consultation, ScotRail will implement the Fit for the Future timetable in May 2022 with no change to the level of service that was proposed for the route between Glasgow and Anniesland via Maryhill. Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 8 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would increase to 10 per cent. It is recognised that customers prefer more frequent services as it provides more flexibility, however, the cost of providing a more frequent service would not be met by any increase in revenue. A further review of this group of services will be undertaken for May 2023 to ensure that the level of service being provided is appropriate for the number of passengers travelling.

In the Fit for the Future consultation, ScotRail proposed to make changes to the service on this corridor. The proposed timetable provided one train per hour between Glasgow and Falkirk Grahamston via Stepps all day, with an additional one train per hour between Glasgow and Cumbernauld via Stepps until approximately 19:30. Passengers travelling between stations such as Cumbernauld and Edinburgh would be able to change trains at Falkirk Grahamston. Passengers travelling between Polmont, Linlithgow and Edinburgh would be served by services between Dunblane and Edinburgh and would continue to be served by services between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Falkirk High. The reduction in the number of services between Edinburgh and Falkirk is expected to improve performance, along with increasing service occupancy rates and reducing costs.

ScotRail received 90 responses from customers who travel on services between Glasgow and Falkirk Grahamston. This compares to 41,000 passenger trips per month along the route in 2019. The main themes highlighted were changes to direct journey opportunities (61 per cent) and frequency (24 per cent). Customers also highlighted changes to direct journey opportunities from stations such as Cumbernauld to Edinburgh.

Following the consultation, ScotRail will implement the Fit for the Future timetable in May 2022 with no change to the level of service that was proposed for the route between Glasgow and Falkirk Grahamston. Average seating occupancy on this route on a typical weekday in 2019 was 7 per cent of seat miles provided, and with the same level of demand applied to the May 2022 timetable, that would increase to 11 per cent. It is recognised that customers prefer frequent, direct, services as it provides more flexibility, however, the cost of providing a direct service would not be met by any increase in revenue. A further review of this group of services will be undertaken for May 2023 to ensure that the level of service being provided is appropriate for the number of passengers travelling. This will consider changes such as operating more services between Glasgow and Falkirk Grahamston at the times customers wish to travel from North Lanarkshire to Edinburgh.