Edinburgh (TAN): ScotRail will run eight-carriage trains and extra late-night trains among other services for visitors attending the Edinburgh International Festival next month.
The annual festival brings artists and audiences from all over the world as they celebrate performing arts including dance, opera, music and theatre in the Scottish capital for three weeks. This year, the festival will be on between August 2 and 26.
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The rail operator plans to offer eight-carriage Class 385 trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh through Falkirk High. It will also run longer trains from the end of this month, after platform extension work at Glasgow Queen Street is over. ScotRail will run additional late-night trains on routes to and from Edinburgh Waverley to contain the busy rail traffic.
“We’re delighted to be helping people get to and from the Edinburgh International Festival, one of the great highlights of the Scottish cultural calendar,” ScotRail Chief Operating Officer Angus Thom said.
“This year, we’re thrilled to be able to provide more seats than ever before. With eight-carriage trains, extra late-night trains, and brand-new trains, every available carriage will be used to get people to and from Edinburgh – it’s all been made possible by the unprecedented investment in Scotland’s Railway over the last few years,” he added.
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The company will offer over 3,700 carriages during the festival, 20 per cent more than 2018, ScotRail said.
While average passenger footfall can go up 50 per cent on weekdays during the event, weekends usually see over double the footfall.
Thom added: “However, trains will still be very busy. We’re encouraging everyone visiting the capital to plan their journey in advance by using our app or the ScotRail website, and to buy a ticket before they board.”
Transport Scotland Director of Rail Bill Reeve said: “The Scottish Government wants visitors to Edinburgh’s great Festival to travel sustainably and in comfort. Our rolling programme of railway investment in services and infrastructure, including electrification, new trains and extended station platforms means there has never been a better time to visit the Edinburgh Festival by rail.”
“By improving the passenger experience, we are encouraging more people to enjoy the best of Scotland, and to do so by train – the greener choice,” he added.
