ScotRail is reminding golf fans travelling to The 150th Open at St Andrews to consider their travel options and know what alternative transport is available due to the temporary timetable currently in place.
The train operator is running a very limited number of trains to and from Leuchars, the nearest station to St Andrews, during The Open which started on Sunday 10 July and ends on Sunday 17 July 2022.
The temporary timetable sees trains operate roughly every 60 minutes between Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Leuchars throughout The Open.
On 23 May, ScotRail introduced a temporary timetable to provide greater certainty and reliability for customers as a result of a significant number of drivers declining to make themselves available for overtime or rest day working, as is their right, due to ongoing negotiations around driver pay.
While progress in these pay negotiations has been made and the drivers’ union ASLEF put ScotRail’s latest pay offer to a referendum of its members with a recommendation to accept, the result of this vote was announced on Monday 11 July. Find out more about the outcome. However, without drivers returning to work rest days and overtime, the temporary timetable remains in place.
It will take a short period of time to restore services as these are based on driver availability and returning to previous rosters, however, ScotRail’s aim is to return to a full timetable at the earliest opportunity.
ScotRail is advising customers that space on board trains is very limited and no rail replacement transport is available. Customers should plan ahead, check their entire journey, and know what alternative modes of transport are available to them and is advised.
The local bus network, operated by Stagecoach, links St Andrews to Dundee, Cupar, Glenrothes and the villages around the East Neuk of Fife, as well as an express bus service connecting to Glasgow and Edinburgh. More information on bus services can be found via Stagecoach and Moffat and Williamson.
Additional Park and Ride facilities is available for fans travelling to The Open by road. Spectators travelling to the Championship by car or motorcycle will be directed to The Open Park and Ride sites by Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) and specific black and yellow event signs provided by the AA. Park and Ride tickets are available on The 150th Open website.
Those travelling by rail are being encouraged to plan ahead and expect long queues at stations.
ScotRail has extra staff at stations ready to assist customers, and the train operator is reminding everyone that the carrying and consumption of alcohol is prohibited on ScotRail trains and in ScotRail stations.