An additional train service could be laid on for Caley Thistle fans travelling to next month’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic.
There was an outcry among fans when it emerged on Thursday that the Scottish Football Association had set a 12.15pm kick-off time at Hampden Park, when the earliest Inverness train on a Sunday does not arrive in Glasgow until 1.34pm.
The Caley Jags Together group considers the early kick-off time “disrespectful” to fans.
North MSP and Caley fan David Stewart was so incensed that he took it up with Cabinet Secretary Keith Brown.
Mr Stewart had complaints from a number of fellow supporters and had pressed for a special train service to be scheduled to get fans to and from the big game.
He said: “As an Inverness Caley fan myself I congratulate the club on getting this far and welcome the fact that Inverness will be playing Celtic in the cup semi-final next month in Glasgow. However, I have heard from a number of supporters locally that they have concerns over travel to Glasgow and specifically the lack of earlier train service to get them to the match on time.
“I am pushing for a special train service to be scheduled to get fans to the game and back as we should be encouraging as many people onto public transport as possible and also specifically to benefit young fans who may have no other means of travel to Glasgow.”
A spokeswoman for government agency Transport Scotland confirmed last night: “We’ve approached incoming ScotRail franchisee Abellio about how best to ensure fans get to the game in time for kick-off and are pleased to confirm they are progressing the possibility of an earlier or additional service, subject to industry agreement.”
A spokesman for ScotRail said: “We are yet to receive any request from Inverness Caledonian Thistle to run a special train to help their fans get to and from the game.
“We have an excellent working relationship with the club and will be happy to discuss options with them should they get in touch.”
