ScotRail is reminding customers to check their journey and know their travel options when major improvement works on the East Kilbride line take place.
No trains will run on the line between Saturday, January 25, and Sunday, May 18, while Network Rail work around-the-clock to deliver major works to modernise the railway between East Kilbride and Glasgow Central.
ScotRail has released details of its alternative travel plan for customers during the major work and is encouraging customers to check their journey in advance and know what travel options are available.
To keep customers moving during the works, ScotRail will operate a rail replacement bus service that will serve most of the stations on the route and, at locations where rail replacement is not available, the train operator has detailed alternative transport options to support travel.
Customers travelling between East Kilbride and Glasgow Central are asked to consider alternative rail routes, where possible. Services on the Barrhead line and other neighbouring routes will continue to operate as normal, providing options to still travel by rail during the works.
ScotRail will add additional carriages to services on nearby routes, but services at peak times are expected to be busy.
Customers along the route who regularly travel to and from Glasgow city centre should consider local bus services as an alternative to rail replacement services.
A comprehensive list, detailing all available alternative travel options for each of the affected stations is available on the ScotRail website at www.scotrail.co.uk/east-kilbride-enhancement-project
The £140million project – part of a Scottish Government investment in the line to decarbonise rail services as well as improve reliability for passengers – will see work carried out to the track, signalling, bridges, and overhead line equipment along the route.
Once complete, in December 2025, the investment in the line will see:
■ A new station at East Kilbride.
■ A new station with two platforms and accessible footbridge at Hairmyres.
■ A new footbridge at Busby station.
■ Improved access at Giffnock, with a new accessible footbridge.
■ A new station entrance at Clarkston.
■ Electrification of the railway from Glasgow to East Kilbride.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: “The works being carried out by Network Rail are absolutely critical in the latest phase of the project to modernise the railway on the East Kilbride line.
“We know the inconvenience that extended works on the railway has on customers, and we appreciate their patience and understanding while Network Rail complete these vital improvements.
“We urge customers to plan ahead and know their travel options. During the improvement works, some journey times will be longer, but we will keep you moving.
“You can find out more about our alternative travel plan and what it means for your own journey by visiting our dedicated webpage or by downloading our free mobile app.”
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