More trains for Stirling and Clacks passengers
An increased number of train services for Stirling and Wee County passengers travelling to and from Glasgow will commence from this Monday, August 3.
Scotrail is adding an additional 16 trains between Alloa and Glasgow (via Stirling) bringing the timetable to a half-hourly service for most of the day.
Customers will also see the introduction of additional peak services between Stirling and Glasgow Queen Street.
The increase in services had been planned for May and was postponed due to the introduction of an emergency timetable at the height of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Scotrail head of business development Scott Prentice said this week:“we have been working closely with key stakeholders in the area to understand how Scotrail can better serve local business and communities, now and in the future.
“We are delighted that we will be able to provide a boost for people travelling in Clackmannanshire.
“We hope this positive change will help the local community as we progress through the Scottish Government’s Roadmap to Recovery.
“More regular trains will mean more seats and more choice, providing greater flexibility for customers.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart this week welcomed the increase in train services and has tabled a motion in Holyrood backing the move.
He said:“i was delighted to learn that after much campaigning, Scotrail customers from across Clackmannanshire will have access to an increased number of services from Monday.
“An additional sixteen trains between Alloa and Glasgow is very welcome and this promises to bring the timetable to a half-hourly service for most of the day, ahead of an all-day half-hourly service which I believe is being introduced in 2021.
“As a regular commuter on the Stirling-dunblane-alloa line – especially prior to the current COVID situation – I experienced horrific overcrowding and sporadic service, with not enough trains to cope with demand, so as long as Scotrail sticks to its promises, much of this previous passenger discomfort and inconvenience should be alleviated.
“Also, we now have the entirely necessary social distancing scenario in the mix, so this increase in the number of trains promises to remedy the initial worry of having enough capacity to service the new requirement, but hopefully this now seems to have been addressed for the moment.
“Consistency of service was previously a grave issue with Scotrail but thankfully – providing the company sticks to its pledge – the further promise of a full-time halfhourly service to and from Alloa next year could greatly alleviate the discomfort that many of my constituents felt during their normal daily commute.”
■Face coverings are currently mandatory at stations and on trains. A minimum of one metre physical distancing on trains and at stations came into effect on Monday July 27.