Rail increase

Near four per cent hike on the rails

The number of people travelling by train to and from the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area rose by nearly four per cent during 2016/17.

Estimated figures show that 3,352,776 passengers boarded or departed trains at seven stations serving the area in 2016/17.

The number of people travelling by train from the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area rose by nearly four per cent last year.

Estimated figures published by Strathclyde Passenger Transport show that 3,352,776 passengers boarded or departed trains at seven stations serving the area in 2016/17.

This compares with 3,229,608 in 2015/16.

The figures include a huge rise at Newton station, where increased housebuilding contributed to a near 70,000 increase, taking the total figure to above 650,000.

King’s Park also recorded a big rise, with 22,000 more passengers using the station.

At the area’s two largest stations, there were mixed fortunes.

Rutherglen was one of just two local stations to suffer a decrease in passenger numbers, although this was a relatively modest one per cent.

Rutherglen also remains comfortably the busiest station, recording nearly 1.1 million journeys.

At Cambuslang, the figure rose from 774,352, to 806,638.

A ScotRail Alliance spokesman said: “We want to encourage as many people as possible to travel by train, and to make their journey a seamless one.

“The investment we are making now – in Smart ticketing, in new ticket machines, in station improvements, in brand new electric trains for the Central Belt and in high-speed trains connecting Scotland’s seven cities will mean more seats, faster journeys and better services for our customers and help us achieve this goal. “It’s all part of our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.” Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said it was important to encourage even more people to travel by rail. She said: “Improving the traveller experience is crucial to ensure that more people choose rail travel, both for commuting and leisure. “The Scottish Government are investing £5 billion in Scotland’s railways to 2019 to ensure that as many people as possible have access to a modern, efficient rail network. “In recent years we have introduced 160 extra carriages with an extra 200 to follow.

“This delivers more than 50 per cent extra carriages since 2007 in the ScotRail fleet.”

“As well as introducing new trains, we are also modernising the existing fleet. This will make a real difference for passengers.”

But Glasgow MSP James Kelly said: “More and more local people are relying on ScotRail to get them to work, university and college, while facing higher fares for poor quality service.

“I receive countless reports of disappointing service and know from personal experience how disruptive travelling by train can be. As fares go up, reliability needs to now follow.

“ScotRail needs to step up its game for Rutherglen and Cambuslang’s passengers.”

Improving the traveller experience is crucial to ensure that more people choose rail