Edinburgh - Glasgow (E&G) line should run throughout the night at weekends

[haggishunter]

Tonight the Scotrail Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High service is running throughout the night!

While realising that maintenance of the infrastructure has to be done sometime, it would be fantastic to see this happen at least late in the week and on Saturday nights into Sunday morning, and for other big events at either or both ends of the line.

As most of the demand is likely to be end to end, with various combinations of lines available if needed, shouldn’t an end to end service almost always be possible. The Citylink shuttle traverses the M8 24/7 so there must be a worthwhile demand and trains can move mass numbers from events in the way a Citylink coach can’t!

 

[JonathanH]

The Citylink shuttle traverses the M8 24/7 so there must be a worthwhile demand and trains can move mass numbers from events in the way a Citylink coach can’t!

If the coach can do the job and meet the demand for travel in the early hours, why not leave them to it? The railway doesn't need to provide a service at this time.

Is there ever a time, outside major events, when the coach can't cope with the demand?

Chris Gibb in his report on the Brighton Main Line indicated the same thing about coach and train travel from London to Gatwick overnight. If the coach can do it at a fraction of the cost and it allows engineering work to happen, why does the railway need to provide a 24 hour service?

Note that I am not at all suggesting that coaches could replace the railway at other times, just saying that relying on coaches overnight allows the day service to be provided more reliably and that trains don't need to go chasing markets where they aren't put to best use.

As you say, great for large events but perhaps not necessary year round.

 

[ld0595]

Agreed. At a minimum it should be run during the festival at weekends. There are plenty of diversionary routes between Glasgow and Edinburgh so engineering works shouldn't cause an issue.

I'm speaking from little experience though. I'd imagine you'd have a tough time getting drivers on board without an enhanced overtime payment.