The 10 most overcrowded train journeys in Scotland
The 10 most overcrowded train journeys in Scotland have been revealed, with capacity exceeding at least a quarter of the limit.
Routes to the Scottish Borders and to Fife also experienced regular overcrowding, while the Glasgow Cathcart Circle route exceeded capacity.
Daniel O’Malley, transport spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, argued passengers were being “packed on to services like sardines”.
He has urged Scottish Government ministers to take responsibility. However, ScotRail said the overcrowding is often caused when train services are forced to operate with fewer carriages because of faults or maintenance.
The revelations come after ScotRail confirmed fares will increase by 3.8% in April.
09:51 Tweedbank - Edinburgh Waverley, Saturday. 45% overcapacity. 19:43 Edinburgh Waverley - Tweedbank, Saturday. 45% overcapacity. 13:19 Tweedbank - Edinburgh Waverley, Saturday. 45% overcapacity. 11:19 Tweedbank to Edinburgh Waverley, Saturday. 44% overcapacity. 0813 Glasgow Central - Glasgow Central (Cathcart Circle), Monday to Friday. 34% overcapacity. 07:38 Balloch - Airdrie, Monday to Friday. 34% overcapacity. 07:15 Leven - Edinburgh Waverley, Monday to Friday. 26% over capacity. 12:17 Leven - Edinburgh Waverley, Saturday. 26% overcapacity. 11:01 Glenrothes with Thornton - Edinburgh Waverley, Saturday. 26% overcapacity. 12:00 Glenrothes with Thornton - Edinburgh Waverley, Saturday. 26% overcapacity.That will mean a return ticket on the ScotRail express service – a 45 minute trip between Glasgow and Edinburgh – will rise by £1.20, from £31.40 to £32.60.
It followed an 8.7% rise the previous year.
The statistics obtained by the Lib Dems through freedom of information requests showed four Saturday journeys between Edinburgh and Tweedbank were considered the worst routes for overcrowding, at almost 50% over the permitted limit.
The 8:13am Monday to Friday roundtrip service from Glasgow Central to Cathcart exceeded capacity by 34%.
Meanwhile, the 7:38am weekday service from Balloch to Airdrie was 34% over.
An early morning Leven to Edinburgh route exceeded capacity by more than a quarter, as did a Saturday afternoon route.
For Glenrothes to Edinburgh Waverley, the Saturday service at 11:01am and 12pm were both over capacity by 26%.
Mr O'Malley told The Herald: “Passengers are shelling out huge sums of money to travel by train, only to be squeezed under someone’s armpit once they’re on board.
“Routes in the Borders and Fife are particularly badly affected, with people packed onto services like sardines.
“The SNP Government have been responsible for Scotland’s trains for almost three years.
“In that time, they have clobbered passengers with ticket hikes and done next to nothing to minimise disruption or overcrowding.
READ MORE:
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“It’s a masterclass in how to make public transport as unattractive as possible.”
Mr O’Malley said public transport should deliver for all communities, and the climate.
“That’s why we want to see government working with councils to explore new lines, especially in areas where public transport links are poor, and new options for two to three-day-a-week season tickets.”
ScotRail said thousands of tonnes of leaves fall from trees on to railway infrastructure each year, creating a "challenging environment".
It causes train wheels to lose grip, similar to black ice conditions on roads.
This causes some trains to be removed from service for repairs and has particularly impacted the availability of carriages on local routes in Fife and the Borders.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “We know that one of our customers biggest concerns is busy trains, and we’re sorry to customers for any disruption they’ve experienced.
“When faults occur and trains require maintenance, it can result in some trains operating with fewer carriages than planned. This is the preferred option, rather than cancelling a service completely.
“We’ve been working hard to get trains back in service as quickly as possible, and deliver the level of service our customers expect.”
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