ScotRail announces changes to temporary timetable ahead of Edinburgh Festival

ScotRail will be adding extra carriages and services for those travelling to the Edinburgh Festivals from this weekend.

The rail operator has announced changes to its current temporary timetable to support the event which will kick off on Friday.

Thousands of festivalgoers are expected to descend on the city to attend events including the International Festival, the Fringe, and Fringe by the Sea.

Extra late night services leaving Edinburgh will be put in place with an additional express service to Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High departing after midnight at 12.15am (except on Sunday night/Monday morning).

Half-hourly services will operate throughout the day and extra late-night trains will be in place from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High from Saturday, August 3 until the end of the festivals excluding Sundays.

Sundays will see an hourly service operate on the express service between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Falkirk High.

To support return travel to the popular Fringe by the Sea, an additional late-night service will operate from North Berwick to Edinburgh between Friday, August 2 and Sunday, August 11. On Monday to Saturday, the last train will leave North Berwick at 12.01am, with an earlier departure time of 10.20pm on Sundays.

Meanwhile football fans heading home from the Celtic vs Kilmarnock game on Sunday at Celtic Park are advised to check before travelling, as there will be a very limited service from Dalmarnock and Bellgrove after the game.

A temporary timetable is currently in place due to fewer drivers making themselves available for rest day working while pay talks are ongoing with the trade union ASLEF.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: “ScotRail is delighted to play its part in making the Edinburgh Festivals a success, and we look forward to welcoming all visitors to the capital city aboard our trains.

“Customers are reminded that with the temporary timetable currently in place, there are fewer services than normal in operation. But to support this major international event, we’ve made changes to our services, including extra seats and services and late-night trains to get people to and from Edinburgh.

“With trains expected to be busier than usual, we’re encouraging everyone visiting the capital to allow extra time for travel, and check their journey in advance via our online journey planner.

“Buying return tickets before you board using our mTicket system on our mobile app will help your journey run smoothly.”