Train passengers face days of diversions and replacement buses as major route upgraded in Fife

ScotRail passengers are facing days of diversions and rail replacement buses on a busy route linking Fife with Edinburgh, as work gets under way to modernise the route.

For nine days, passengers north of Edinburgh will be able to travel as far south as Inverkeithing in Fife by rail, before rail replacement buses continue journeys to the capital.

Diversions have also been put in place on some routes, including Aberdeen services which will divert to Perth and Stirling before reaching Edinburgh, and Dundee routes, which will run via Kirkcaldy or Dumfermline and terminate at Inverkeithing.

The number of trains servicing routes have also been cut, with just one train running per hour on four services which will terminate at Inverkeithing, while no trains will run between Haymarket and Dalmeny.

Trains will begin and terminate at Inverkeithing during the nine-day works. iStock

South Gyle will not be serviced by trains or replacement buses during the works, and passengers are urged to travel to and from Edinburgh Gateway instead.

Passengers with valid rail tickets will be able to travel on Edinburgh Trams between St Andrew Square and Edinburgh Gateway, in order to connect with rail replacement buses running to and from Inverkeithing.

ScotRail has pointed to Stagecoach services which can be utilised during the works, however train tickets will not be accepted on services and passengers will need to purchase bus tickets.

‘We appreciate passenger patience’

The works, carried out by Network Rail, will begin on Saturday, January 17 and run until Sunday, January 25. Engineers will carry out round-the-clock works in order to upgrade the route as quickly as possible.

The work in Fife is the latest phase of the Scottish Government’s wider programme to decarbonise Scotland’s Railway, supporting cleaner, quieter, and more reliable journeys.

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: “Network Rail’s upcoming work is a vital stage in the Fife electrification project, paving the way for long-term improvements that will benefit customers for years to come.

“We’ve put alternative travel plans in place to help keep people moving, and we encourage customers to take a moment to check their options before travelling. Some journeys may take longer than usual, so planning ahead will make things easier.

“Our website and the ScotRail app have the latest information, and we’ll continue to provide clear updates and support throughout the works. We appreciate everyone’s patience as these essential upgrades are delivered.”

Customers are being encouraged to plan ahead, check their journey before travelling, and familiarise themselves with the alternative travel options available.

A route-by-route breakdown is available on the ScotRail website.

Is my journey affected?

The following routes will see reduced services and diversions during the rail works.

Monday to Saturday

One train per hour between Dundee and Inverkeithing via Kirkcaldy.
One train per hour between Leven and Inverkeithing via Kirkcaldy.
One train per hour between Leven and Inverkeithing via Dunfermline.
One train per hour between Perth and Inverkeithing via Dunfermline.

Sunday

One train per hour between Dundee and Inverkeithing via Kirkcaldy.
One train per hour between Dundee and Inverkeithing via Dunfermline.
One train per hour between Leven and Inverkeithing via Kirkcaldy.
One train per hour between Leven and Inverkeithing via Dunfermline.

Replacement buses will run between:

Edinburgh Gateway and Inverkeithing / Dalgety Bay.
North Queensferry and Inverkeithing connecting with coaches / trains.
Haymarket and Inverkeithing (Monday to Friday during peak commuter times, and on Saturday from late morning to early evening).

Alternative travel plans for affected routes

Edinburgh Waverley – Aberdeen

Where possible, train services will be diverted between Edinburgh Waverley and Dundee (via Stirling and Perth).

Departure and arrival times at Edinburgh Waverley will be earlier or later than usual.

Edinburgh Waverley – Dundee

Revised train services operate between Inverkeithing and Dundee via Kirkcaldy (Monday to Saturdays) and via Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline (Sundays only).

Edinburgh Waverley – Perth

Services will operate between Inverkeithing and Perth, calling at stations via Dunfermline.

Edinburgh Waverley – Leven

Train services operate between Inverkeithing and Leven via Kirkcaldy (Sundays only) and both Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline (Monday to Saturdays).

Edinburgh Waverley – Glenrothes with Thornton / Cowdenbeath

Stations between Inverkeithing and Glenrothes with Thornton will be served by trains on the above routes.

What other transport options are there?

Stagecoach runs a number of services on affected routes, however Scotrail train tickets are not valid on services. Customers will need to purchase bus tickets seperately.

Monday – Saturday

X55 Dunfermline – Rosyth – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 20 minutes.
X56 Halbeath park and ride – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 60 minutes.
X57 Duloch Park – Halbeath park and ride – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 60 minutes.
X58 Kirkcaldy bus station – Dalgety Bay – Inverkeithing – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 60 minutes.
X59 / X59A Halbeath park and ride – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 20 minutes.
X61 Kirkcaldy bus station – Halbeath park and ride – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 60 minutes.
747 Inverkeithing railway station – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh Airport every 20 minutes.

Sunday

X55 Dunfermline – Rosyth – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 30 minutes.
X56 Halbeath park and ride – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 120 minutes.
X57 Duloch Park – Halbeath park and ride – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 120 minutes.
X58 Kirkcaldy bus station – Dalgety Bay – Inverkeithing – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 60 minutes.
X59 / X59A Halbeath park and ride – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 30 minutes.
X61 Kirkcaldy bus station – Halbeath park and ride – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh bus station every 60 minutes.
747 Inverkeithing railway station – Ferrytoll park and ride – Edinburgh Airport every 20 minutes.