Busy trains to be flagged to passengers online

Passengers will be warned about busy trains to encourage them to travel at quieter times from today.

ScotRail provides information about busy trains on its app. Picture: John Devlin.

Journey planning app and official industry website National Rail will begin displaying red or yellow warning triangles next to services expected to be in high demand.

The system will use analysis of journey planning trends and messages from rail staff at stations and on trains.

Passengers will be asked if they intend to take a particular service to help operators manage capacity.

It is hoped the system will lead to more people staggering their journeys as demand increases with lockdown restrictions easing.

Passengers will also be able to keep updated about how disruption and overcrowding will affect their trip, and be provided with alternative travel options.

Alerts can be received via Facebook Messenger, with updates by text message and WhatsApp to be available in the coming weeks.

Train companies have also published the busiest times in the morning to travel to and from major stations, including 7am-8:30am at Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street, and 8:30am-9am at Glasgow Central.

ScotRail already provides information about busy trains on its app.

Robert Nisbet, director of nations and regions at industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said: “With social distancing meaning there is space for fewer people to travel by train, the rail industry will be using technology to help passengers stagger their journeys and stay safe while travelling.

“The eyes and ears of thousands of front line staff will let us know if stations or trains are getting busy while cutting-edge data analysis will help us predict spikes in demand, giving passengers the advice they need in the palm of their hands.

“People should only go by train if their journey is really necessary but those who do need to travel should sign up for alerts from National Rail and, before setting off, pop online to check the very latest information and avoid the busiest times.

“We also ask everyone travelling to wear a face covering to prevent the spread of the virus.”

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “With capacity reduced to around one fifth of that previously seen on our railways, it is important that people work from home if they can, stagger their travel times to avoid crowds, and use other forms of transport wherever possible.

“But for those who need to use the train it is fantastic to see innovative digital services rolled out to help keep them safe while on the move.

“Harnessing data and new technology will be crucial both to enable social distancing now, and to modernise the network for the future.”

The Office of Rail and Road said 51 million fewer journeys were made on Britain’s railways in the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2019.

The 11 per cent decline is the largest quarterly fall on record and was blamed on the pandemic affecting travel in March.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director