ScotRail and Lothian Buses to shrink services to 'critical services network'

Train and bus operators to focus on transporting key staff such as NHS workers.

Many off-peak ScotRail trains are now running virtually empty.

Lothian, Edinburgh’s main bus operator, will launch its further reduced service from Sunday after passengers numbers fell by more than 90 per cent.

ScotRail and other train firms such as LNER will cut their operations to around 40 per cent of normal on Monday.

The circular Glasgow Subway will run trains in only a clockwise direction from tomorrow after patronage fell by 95 per cent.

Other bus companies across Scotland are making similar cuts because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

First Glasgow, the city’s main operator, will run half its normal bus frequencies from Monday – effectively a Sunday service.

Managing director Andrew Jarvis said the near lockdown which prompted the reduction was “almost inconceivable” only weeks ago.

First West Lothian will also operate a Sunday timetable, while Xplore Dundee will cut most services to half-hourly from Sunday and suspend a few.

ScotRail halved its services this week and will reduce them further to 42 per cent of normal.

But it is adding extra trains to meet demand from health workers such as those at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock, with more East Kilbride services for Hairmyres Hospital, and changes in Glasgow for the city’s hospitals.

A spokesman said trains during the middle of the day were being stripped out because no one was using them.

Eight-carriage services on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line are among those running empty.

Passenger numbers have nosedived by 80 per cent overall and 89 per cent off-peak.

Network Rail Scotland has appealed to retired signallers and control room staff as back-up should key workers become sick or need to self isolate.

Lothian said its reduced services would comprise a “critical services network”.

Interim managing director Nigel Serafini said: “We understand how critical our services are, particularly during this difficult time, and our teams have spent a significant amount of time analysing data and liaising with key areas including NHS Lothian to identify where our services are required.

“With a reduction in patronage of over 90 per cent across the last week, it is important we make changes to our network to better reflect the current operating climate and most importantly still meet the needs of those who require to make essential journeys.”

Services to critical facilities

Adam McVey, leader of Edinburgh City Council, which owns the company, said: "While the majority of people are staying at home to help limit the impact of coronavirus, there are still a great deal of workers providing essential services here in Edinburgh.

“Thanks to Lothian's continued services to critical facilities, many of those key workers will be able to continue supporting the city and the people that live here."

Lothian Buses services from Sunday:

Service 1 will be extended from Easter Road to Seafield to operate up to every 30 minutes between Clermiston and Seafield.

Service 3 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Clovenstone and Mayfield.

Service 5 will operate hourly between Hunter’s Tryst and The Jewel

Service 7 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Newhaven and Royal Infirmary.

Service 8 will operate hourly between Muirhouse and Royal Infirmary.

Service 11 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Ocean Terminal and Hyvots Bank

Service 14 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Muirhouse and Greendykes

Service 16 will be extended from Colinton to Torphin to operate up to every 30 minutes between Silverknowes and Torphin

Service 20 will operate hourly between Ratho and Hermiston Gait only.

Service 21 will operate hourly between Gyle Centre and Royal Infirmary. It will not serve Clovenstone.

Service 22 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Gyle Centre and Ocean Terminal.

Service 24 will operate hourly between West Granton and Royal Infirmary, via Western General.

Service 25 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Riccarton and Restalrig.

Service 26 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Clerwood and Prestonpans, then hourly either to Seton Sands or Tranent Windygoul.

Service 27 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Silverknowes and Hunter’s Tryst.

Service 29 will operate hourly between Silverknowes and Gorebridge via Western General.

Service 30 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Clovenstone and Fort Kinnaird, extending hourly to Musselburgh.

Service 31 will operate up to every 30 minutes between East Craigs and Bonnyrigg then hourly to Hopefield or to Polton Mill.

Service 33 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Wester Hailes and Sheriffhall via Royal Infirmary.

Service 34 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Riccarton and Ocean Terminal.

Service 37 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Silverknowes and Penicuik then hourly to Deanburn or to Ladywood, via Western General.

Service 38 will operate hourly between West Granton and Royal Infirmary.

Service 41 will operate hourly between Cramond and Marchmont (Oswald Road) for Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Astley Ainslie Hospital.

Service 44 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Balerno and City Centre (Leith Street) only. Section between Wallyford and City Centre served by

Service 48 will operate hourly between Gorebridge and Royal Infirmary.

Service 49 will operate up to every 30 minutes between The Jewel and Royal Infirmary and extends hourly to Rosewell.

Service 63 will operate every 90 minutes between Queensferry and Gyle Centre.

Service 100 will operate every 30 minutes between Waverley Bridge and Edinburgh Airport.

Service 400 will operate hourly between Gyle Centre and Royal Infirmary.

Services 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, X12, X15, 19, 23, X25, X26, X29, X31, X33, 35, 36, X37, 42, X44, 45, 47, X47, 61, 67, 200, 300 and Nightbus will not operate.

East Coast Buses

Service 106 will operate a special route hourly between Dunbar and Edinburgh West Granton via East Linton, Haddington, Macmerry, Tranent, Wallyford Fa’Side, Musselburgh, Brunstane, Edinburgh City Centre and Western General.

Service 113 will operate hourly between Pencaitland and Edinburgh West Granton via Western General, and will also serve Fa’Side in Wallyford.

Service 124 will operate hourly between North Berwick and Edinburgh Semple Street.

Service 139 will operate hourly between Woodburn and Midlothian Community Hospital.

Service 140 will operate hourly between Musselburgh and Roslin passing Midlothian Community Hospital.

Services 104, 125, 126, 127, X5, X7, X24 and NightHawk services will not operate.

Lothian Country Buses

Service 43 will operate hourly between Queensferry and St Andrew Square.

Service X18 will operate hourly between Whitburn, Bathgate, Broxburn and Edinburgh.

Service X27 will operate hourly between Whitburn, Livingston and Edinburgh via St John’s Hospital.

Service X28 will operate hourly between Bathgate, Livingston and Edinburgh via St John’s Hospital.

Services 275, 280, 287, X17, X38, X43, EX2 and Nightbus will not operate.