SCOTRAIL has released its new winter timetable, which promises faster journeys and more seats.
The changes to the timetable will take place from December 9 this year.
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Announcing the changes, the rail network said it "will deliver faster journeys, more seats, and more services" for its customers.
Key changes include journey times between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High will be reduced from 51 minutes to 47 minutes, journey times on services from Stirling to Edinburgh will be reduced by more than five minutes and rail journeys in "key locations" will now be faster than car journeys.
There will also be more services between Edinburgh to Glasgow and Edinburgh to Arbroath and a new hourly Aberdeen to Montrose service.
Increased seating will be available on Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High services, North Berwick to Edinburgh, Glasgow Central to Neilston and Airdrie to Balloch.
ScotRail Alliance Managing Director Alex Hynes said: “The improvements we are making to our timetable from December mean ScotRail has reached another milestone as we build the best railway Scotland has ever had. This is just the first phase of the work we are doing to deliver for our customers over the next year.
“The investment the ScotRail Alliance is making to electrify more lines and introduce new and upgraded trains means we will deliver faster journeys, more seats, and more services for our customers.”
ScotRail said further timetable improvements will be delivered in May and December 2019.
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity added: “These changes mark the first significant phase of timetable improvements on Scotland’s railways with £475 million being invested in rolling stock during this franchise, introducing faster, longer, greener trains.
“The amendments will see more of the existing refurbished fleets cascaded across the country meaning better trains, more seats and more services, delivering an improved experience for passengers.”
The news comes as Labour and the TSSA trade union accused the Scottish Government of using Storm Ali as an excuse to change strict punctuality targets to avoid ScotRail breaching targets.
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