PASSENGERS on one of the country’s busiest commuter routes are facing overcrowding as ScotRail cuts the number of carriages on some rush-hour trains.
The rail operator is reducing the number of carriages on the Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh via Falkirk High service as some trains on that route have reached the end of their lease.
ScotRail said that once its new electric Hitachi Class 385 trains enter service it will return to full capacity. In the meantime 10 rush-hour trains between the two cities will run with three or four carriages instead of the usual six.
The rail operator has introduced a reduced £13 anytime day return fare for travel on the Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh via Airdrie route, which is almost half the current price.
It is not known when the new trains will enter service, however the fare is available until May 19.
A ScotRail statement said: “All services on our timetable are planned to run, but from Monday, February 26, a limited number of services on the Glasgow Queen Street – Edinburgh Waverley via Falkirk High route will have fewer carriages than normal. Once our brand new electric Hitachi Class 385 trains enter service we will return to full capacity – and actually increase the number of carriages we are able to run.”
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