A NEW timetable has been approved by ScotRail that will see changes to the number of services in Ayrshire.

ScotRail say they will be offering around 2,150 (around 782,000 a year) services nation-wide every day.

That is an increase on the 590,000 services that ran in 2020/21 according to Office of Rail and Road figures.

However it is fewer than in 2019, when around 796,000 trains were put on. The announcement forms part of the response to a recent public consultation into the train operator’s proposed new timetable.

In March 2020, ScotRail introduced a paired back timetable in response to falling passenger numbers as a result of the pandemic.

Then in August 2021 they launched a consultation on future timetables given fears that passenger numbers would not return to pre-pandemic levels.

The train operator received 3,450 responses, which is more than for any other consultation in ScotRail’s history.

The consultation website was viewed more than 25,000 times.

The timetable on the

Glasgow to Ayr line will remain the same as it has been

since May 2021, as will the Glasgow to Ardrossan service.

But East Ayrshire residents will benefit from an extra early morning service running from New Cumnock to Glasgow and evening peak and late evening services from Glasgow to Dumfries.

Girvan to Stranraer will be served by five trains a day, whereas pre-pandemic there were eight trains on that route each day. David Simpson, ScotRail Operations Director, said: “We know our customers want more trains, so we are pleased to be able to add 150 more services to the timetable from May 2022, delivering a service that is safe, reliable, green, clean, and fit for the future.

“This timetable is the start of the process of recovering from the pandemic and as passenger numbers increase, we will keep the number of services under regular review.

“What is clear from the evidence we’ve made publicly available is that providing a good rail service does not on its own attract significant numbers to public transport. Train operators, government, and trade unions need to work together to encourage other policy levers to be used.

“We are grateful to everyone who took part in the consultation and shared their views. We welcome all feedback and where passenger demand justifies more trains, we’ll do our best to deliver.”

Jenny Gilruth MSP, Minister for Transport, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to give their views and experiences in this consultation. It’s important that people have their say when changes to the timing and frequency of rail services are proposed and I’m pleased that ScotRail listened and responded by revising the proposals to ensure that post-pandemic, more people will have more opportunities to travel in Scotland by train.

“From May, there will be 150 more services operating than in December 2021. This new timetable will help us all recover from the impacts of the pandemic and provides us with a solid starting point to offer rail passengers a more reliable service which is fit for the future.” More on the ScotRail website.