Kingussie to hear of major main line improvements
Major rail improvements are being promised for the Highlands.
At a public meeting in Kingussie tonight (Tuesday, May 1), ScotRail Alliance will announce 40 per cent more services to the north, 2,500 extra seats every day
and faster journeys – some just over three hours to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Business development manager Scott Prentice will be meeting the Cairngorms National Park Authority and local residents to discuss the proposed new timetable and service improvements for the Highland mainline.
A total of £57 million is being invested in improving the line, which will allow more and faster journeys between Inverness and the Central Belt. The entire timetable for the route is being completely redrawn and will see average journey times reduced and an extra eight journeys added between Inverness and the Central Belt each day.
"By the end of 2019 services will become faster and more reliable as Aviemore and Pitlochry stations receive upgraded signalling," said Mr Prentice. "Arriving trains will no longer have to stop and wait for services going in the opposite direction.
"All services between Inverness and Glasgow and Edinburgh will be operated by our refurbished InterCity trains. These trains will provide more than 2,500 extra seats each day, increasing seating capacity by 50 per cent.
"Customers will also benefit from extra luggage space, greater comfort and an enhanced food and drink service."
There will be an hourly service between Inverness, Aviemore and Pitlochry to Perth and Edinburgh or Glasgow. All stations on the route will benefit from the enhanced timetable."
Mr Prentice said: "I am looking forward to meeting with our customers in Kingussie, answering their questions about the improvements we are making, and better understanding the travel needs of communities in Badenoch and Strathspey.
"Our customers along the Highland Mainline can look forward to faster and more comfortable journeys on our iconic InterCity trains, and much improved connectivity to Inverness, Perth and the Central Belt.
"We are working day and night to deliver these changes for our customers. We are building the best railway Scotland has ever had, and the Highlands are central to that."
The meeting starts at 6.30pm in Talla nan Ros, King Street, Kingussie.
Pictured: the new ‘Seven Cities’ branding on the side of ScotRail InterCity train (ScotRail Alliance).
