Scotland’s ‘most crowded’ train routes unveiled in latest data release
New information obtained following a Freedom of Information request has disclosed the ten most congested train routes in Scotland, with specific journeys to and from a single city taking the lead.
Travelling by train is a popular mode of transportation across Scotland, with routes spanning the mainland. However, some routes are consistently busier than others, as revealed by the recent data shared by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Topping the list are three services between Tweedbank and Edinburgh Waverley, with both the 9.51am and 1.19pm Saturday services from Tweedbank to Edinburgh surpassing capacity by 45% on average. Similarly, the reverse journey at 7.43pm on Saturdays is also reported to be oversubscribed by 45%.
The 11.19am Saturday service from Tweedbank to Edinburgh Waverley secures the fourth spot on the list, running at 44% over capacity. Additionally, the 8.13am Saturday service from Glasgow Central to Glasgow Central (Cathcart Circle) and the 7.38am Monday-to-Friday service from Balloch to Airdrie are consistently exceeding capacity by 34%.
Several of the busiest train services connect to or depart from Edinburgh Waverley, showing the significant demand for these routes. Services from Leven in Fife and Glenrothes with Thornton to Edinburgh Waverley complete the top 10 list, with journeys being 26% over capacity on average.
Addressing the issue, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Daniel O’Malley expressed concern over passengers paying premium fares only to face overcrowded conditions. He criticised the lack of measures by the SNP government to alleviate the overcrowding issues and enhance the overall public transport experience.
In response, ScotRail Service Delivery Director Mark Ilderton acknowledged customers’ concerns about crowded trains and apologised for any inconveniences caused. He explained that operating trains with fewer carriages due to maintenance needs was preferable to cancelling services altogether. The company is committed to resolving issues promptly to meet customer expectations.
The data shed light on the challenges faced by commuters using these congested train routes in Scotland, prompting calls for improved infrastructure and services to cater to the growing demand for efficient and reliable public transportation.