ScotRail reveals 2.6% surge in passenger numbers

Date: 12/4/2013

Passenger numbers on ScotRail services hit a record 83.3 million in the year to March 2013 - a 2.6 per cent increase on the figures for 2012.

The operator is responsible for running nine out of ten trains on Scotland's rail network, and Managing Director Steve Montgomery welcomed the latest news.

"The rise in passenger numbers is pleasing and shows we are connecting even more communities, helping to grow the economy and encouraging people out of their cars onto public transport," he said.

And Transport Minister Keith Brown emphasised that the statistics show how the Scottish Government is coordinating with train operators to entice an increasing number of people to take advantage of the country's rail infrastructure. He also highlighted the environmental benefits of train travel.

The £2.5 billion ScotRail franchise is the Scottish Government's biggest contract, with record levels of investment having been ploughed into the nation's rail network in recent years.

Posted by Sarah Bailey

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