More choosing to travel by train ‘to avoid congestion’
New rail services paying off with rise in passengers
Published:
The number of people using trains in the north-east has soared by almost a third in just a few years, new figures reveal.
Regional transport chiefs described the increase in rail passenger numbers as phenomenal and significantly higher than the national average.
More than 2million passengers travelled by train to and from the north-east in 2008, an increase of more than 30% since 2004.
The rise was attributed last night to commuters’ frustration at congestion on the region’s roads, as well as recent timetable changes and the introduction of new services.
Passenger numbers have grown on average by about 3% every year across Scotland, but in Aberdeen the annual increase has been 8-10%.
Passenger numbers more than doubled between 2005-08 at Portlethen Station, while Dyce recorded a 68% rise, and Inverurie was also up by more than half.
A transport partnership spokesman said: “Rail use is increasing throughout the country, but the north-east has above-average growth. This may partly be due to recognition that rail offers a good option for commuters as congestion on the roads increases and also reflects a latent demand that when improvements are put in place, there is increasing usage.”
A ScotRail spokeswoman said: “We are delighted that even more people are choosing rail as their preferred mode of travel.
“Many new services have been introduced, including a significant boost to Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen via Fife services in particular.
“And the reopening of Laurencekirk has exceeded all expectations, with passenger journeys exceeding all forecasts.”
Nestrans has produced a draft rail action plan for the next decade which will be discussed at its meeting next week.
Board convener Kevin Stewart said: “The rise is down to a number of factors such as the reopening of Laurencekirk Station and major timetabling changes on the Inverurie commuter route.
“I think a lot of people are realising there is a huge advantage in travelling by train rather than car.”
