New rail services between Aberdeen and Montrose are increasing flexibility for travellers in the north-east of Scotland by offering more than 5,000 additional seats on a daily basis.
The winter 2018 timetable launched by Scotrail on Sunday (Sun, Dec 9) has increased daily services available at Montrose, Laurencekirk, Stonehaven and Portlethen.
These include a new hourly service between Aberdeen and Montrose, calling at each of these stations.
The timetable is the first phase of a new Aberdeen cross rail service which will run to Inverurie by the end of 2019 and is designed to provide better integration with local bus services.
Nestrans chair Cllr Peter Argyle said: “The new rail timetable is a welcome development and offers increased flexibility for those living, working and visiting the north-east of Scotland.
“It supports the aims of our Regional Transport Strategy to reduce traffic on our roads and encourage more people to use sustainable travel.”
Under the new timetable, daily services at Montrose have been increased from 52 to 91, at Laurencekirk from 24 to 40, at Stonehaven from 50 to 71, and at Portlethen from 20 to 41.
ScotRail Head of Business Development Scott Prentice said: “We have been working closely with key stakeholders, including Nestrans, to understand how ScotRail can better serve local businesses and communities.
“The improvements we are making to our timetable from December will bring significant benefits to customers across the North East with a new hourly service between Aberdeen and Montrose, calling at Laurencekirk, Stonehaven and Portlethen.
“The investment the ScotRail Alliance is making to electrify more lines and introduce new and upgraded trains means we will deliver faster journeys, more seats, and more services for our customers as we build the best railway Scotland has ever had.”
Notes for editors:
Nestrans is the Transport Partnership for Aberdeen City and Shire. Its purpose is to develop and deliver a long-term regional transport strategy and take forward strategic transport improvements that support and improve the economy, environment and quality of life across Aberdeen City and Shire.
ENDS
