Question reference: S5W-14928
- Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 27 February 2018
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 March 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00950 by Humza Yousaf on 27 February 2018 (Official Report, c. 7), in light of the delay in introducing the class 385 trains, what support it is offering to passengers, including (a) fare reductions and (b) minimising disruption, and what action it is taking to reduce the pressure on the Glasgow-Falkirk-Edinburgh line.
Answer
ScotRail has a communications plan in place using all of its regular media channels to inform travel choices. This provides passengers with the timings of longer trains on the route via Falkirk and details of alternative, parallel routes. In order to encourage passengers to use alternative services ScotRail is offering a reduced peak fare (£13.00 return or £12.90 single) between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Bathgate and Airdrie: this is intended to reduce potential over-crowding to and from the main intermediate stations (Croy, Falkirk High, Linlithgow & Polmont) on the route via Falkirk. More ScotRail staff are in place at the main stations to direct passengers onto the Airdrie/Bathgate line and try to manage any issues which could arise during unplanned disruption. The two other direct routes from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh via Shotts and Carstairs will also offer alternatives during this period.