The data, which analyses passenger counts over the previous six
months, lists the top ten trains busiest services and the
points along each route which are most affected.
The data not only identifies the busiest trains, it also gives
information on the measures being taken to alleviate crowding
such as when new rolling stock will come into service.
Since 2007, targeted investment in our rail services to improve
capacity has delivered
- significant refurbishment programmes across the ScotRail
fleet
- 160 extra carriages already introduced
- an extra 180 to follow in the next 24 months
- 50% more carriages in the near future than we did 2007
- from 2018, High Speed Trains are introduced, 40% more seats
on Scottish inter-city routes than currently available
- increasing seating capacity by 23% by 2019.
,
Minister for Transport and the Islands said:
“The Scottish Government is delivering the most ambitious
programme of rail investment ever seen in Scotland, committing
over £5 billion across the current funding period.
“We wholly appreciate busy trains can be uncomfortable and can
assure passengers we are focussed on delivering the value for
money service they both want and deserve. We will achieve this
in the near future meanwhile this busiest trains information
will help make informed journey planning choices simpler in the
here and now.”
Trains are designed to very high specifications that take fully
into account the safety of both seated and standing customers.
The ORR states that there is no conclusive evidence linking
crowded trains with anything other than low level health and
safety risks to individual.
The approach used to analyse the busiest trains information
shows not only the total number of passengers who use
particular services, but also the points in the journey at
which the train is at its busiest.
This, in turn, enables ScotRail to best plan where to use its
rolling stock, particularly during peak periods and allow
passengers themselves to choose an alternative service where
available.
This data will be published annually and can be found on the
Transport Scotland website.
